FIVB launches athlete’s relief support fund
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 26, 2020 – The FIVB today launched
its Athletes’ Relief Support fund to provide short-term
assistance to professional volleyball and beach volleyball
players who have been affected financially by the global
coronavirus pandemic.
An initiative, of the FIVB President Ary S. Graça F° and the
FIVB Athletes’ Commission, approved by the FIVB Executive
Committee, will offer support to those athletes who are in
financial hardship due to the postponement and cancellation of
FIVB events. The Athletes’ Relief Support fund is aimed at those
who are currently unable to afford the basic necessities
including, but not limited to, food, family care and housing. In
light of the global nature of the current situation, all
assistance will be determined by a thorough analysis of each
individual case.
In order to ensure that the Athletes’ Relief Support fund is
distributed fairly, the online application process will be
transparent and led by a dedicated Task Force, which includes
the leadership of the FIVB, the FIVB Athletes’ Commission and
the FIVB Team. This Task Force will be responsible for
evaluating applications, conducting eligibility checks, and
ensuring that this fund assists those who cannot currently meet
their basic needs. Athletes applying for the FIVB Athletes’
Relief Support fund will need to meet set eligibility
requirements for their application to be considered for further
evaluation. The eligibility criteria include, but are not
limited to, being clear from sanctions on international and
national levels, having no anti-doping rules violations, and
having participated in the minimum required number of FIVB
events during the 2018-2019 season along with several other
requirements.
In addition, in consideration of the ongoing global coronavirus
crisis, and in order to allow athletes a suitable amount of time
to apply for funding, applications will remain open for a
one-month period from 26 May 2020 to 23 June 2020.
FIVB President Ary S. Graça Fᵒ
said:
“The FIVB understands how much time and dedication every single
volleyball and beach volleyball player puts into our sport. They
are the heart and soul of volleyball, and without them our sport
would not be the global success that it is. We also fully
understand that, for some, the necessary postponement or
cancellation of FIVB events will have had a significant impact
on their everyday lives. Therefore, it is the FIVB’s
responsibility to continue to support them in every way that we
can, and that is why the Athletes’ Relief Support fund was
created. With the help of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission and a
dedicated Task Force, we will ensure that this fund goes to
those who truly need it during this time, and help our athletes
to concentrate on staying safe and healthy.”
President of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission Gilberto “Giba”
Amauri de Godoy Filho said:
“The FIVB Athletes’ Commission serves as an essential link
between the players and the FIVB. This link is incredibly
important, especially during these challenging times when
athletes, much like many others, have been unable to work. We
have played a key role in the creation of the Athletes’ Relief
Support fund, and I am incredibly happy that we are able to have
such open and honest communication with the FIVB. Now, having
listened to the voices of our athletes, we are able to offer
them a helping hand, and we will continue to support them
throughout this period.”
Member of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission and current beach
volleyball player Madelein Meppelink said:
“Volleyball and beach volleyball players give so much to our
sport. From training incredibly hard, to giving our all on the
court, this sport is both our passion and our livelihoods. It is
amazing to see the FIVB continually seek to assist us both on
and off the court. I know that, for many of my fellow athletes,
the Athletes’ Relief Support fund will be a vital initiative
which will help tremendously during these dark times.” |