China is a key player in the continued growth of women’s volleyball. Since becoming the Olympic Champions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Chinese volleyball players have become stars, serving as an inspiration for many teams around the world to work harder and to work together. Their dedication, passion and quality on the court has transformed the way both men and women play our sport.
The 12thedition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships will take place in the city of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, from December 4-9, where we will all have the opportunity to see some of the best women’s club teams battle it out for this illustrious title. It is not just individual quality, but the importance of teamwork, developed over the season and through years of playing together that make champions, and I have no doubt we will see wonderful moments of players uniting to create unforgettable moments.
The last edition of the Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe, Japan, was a great success. We saw VakifBank Istanbul claim gold over Rexona-Sesc of Brazil in an exciting final, decided in three exhilarating sets.
I cannot wait to see the fantastic matches that await us this year. Off the court, organisers are working just as hard as the teams, and the FIVB is doing more than ever before to support the tournament. Innovations on the court and throughout the stadium will help show our continued progress.
Together we are fulfilling our vision to make volleyball the number one family sport in the world. The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships is an important step towards achieving this vision and please accept my best wishes for a fantastic competition. Best of luck to all the athletes as we look forward to their great performances.
Dr. Ary S. Graça F°
FIVB President