International Volleyball and Development Studies

Volleyball on the International StageThe FIVB is an international federation founded in Switzerland in 1947, and represents all major volleyball rules and tournament play in the world. Standing for the Federation International de volleyball it governs five continental confederations.The FIVB governs all international volleyball events through an elected congress, which meets every two years to elect a new board of directors, and to make official statements over new rules.The FIVB is somewhat of a daunting authority in the volleyball world, and can be compared to the UN Security Council of international rules. They have been known to lobby other tournaments and even have been known to stop other tournaments from being able to practice and work.FIVB Sponsored Volleyball TournamentsThe FIVB sponsors several tournaments in beach and indoor volleyball play. The FIVB volleyball World League is a yearly event-taking place over seven weekends in more than 40 cities. With 12 national volleyball teams competing for more that 20 million in prize money, this is the premier men’s international volleyball tournament.The FIVB Volleyball World Championships occur every four years, and a multitude of qualifying tournaments occur prior to this insane volleyball event. Only the top 24 teams compete in the world final, with over 200 teams trying to qualify from 14 different country regions.FIVB and Volleyball SponsorshipThe FIVB lobbies other volleyball groups, and is the main authority on all international play. They can lobby other regional organizations, which gives them the ability to force other authorities to adopt there rules.Referees can become FIVB certified by attending a volleyball-refereeing clinic. These clinics are offered in a variety of countries, and once FIVB certified, it is much easier to get a position refereeing for local and national tournaments.Volleyball Development Programs in the Horn of Africa: A Fundamental Project for ReconstructionThe FIVB is starting to promote volleyball in developing countries and is starting this campaign in Africa. The FIVB volleyball development program is a non-profit action that acts as a medium between the developed world and countries trying to gain their foot on the international stage. Volleyball programs are a necessary action to promote relationships between different factions of the world.The Namibian Volleyball Federation will host a referee-training course in the month of April, and is the first effort to promote volleyball on the continent. International tournaments are set to follow, as members from 11 different African countries will be attending the clinic.