Sitting Volleyball

As part of the Parasport Series, we will be sharing about different para and adapted sports. This week we are highlighting Sitting Volleyball. 

Sitting Volleyball originated in the Netherlands in 1956, and was originally introduced into the Paralympics in 1980. However, women’s sitting volleyball was not played in the Paralympics until 2004. The sport is played by athletes with lower limb impairments. Many of the rules are the same as able-bodied volleyball. The most significant differences are the smaller court size and shorter net height. Players move around the court in a seated position, sliding using their arms to move around. It is very challenging to move around the court and set up for a hit. They use the same kind of serving, passing and attack moves as standing volleyball. One of the benefits of Sitting Volleyball is that when playing recreationally, it is easy to include able-bodied players with players with disabilities. In competition, athletes are evaluated and classified based on the level of disability. 

In Canada, the sport is governed by Volleyball Canada. Globally, World ParaVolley is responsible for the governance of the sport. Recently there have been 2 Sitting Volleyball tournaments. Men’s and women;s teams competed in the Pan American Zonal Championships in early May. The Canadian Women’s team was not able to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics at this tournament, but they are looking ahead to the World ParaVolley World Cup, in November. The Canadian Women’s Team also competed in the Dutch Tournament from June 28-July 4th, in the birthplace of the sport, the Netherlands. The Canadian team won Silver at the tournament, only losing to one other team, the USA. 

 

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We are excited to see the Canadian team in action in November, hoping to qualify for the upcoming Paralympics!