Summary of History in Volleyball: FIVB

What is FIVB?

FIVB stands for The Federation Internationale de Volleyball. It is the international organisation responsible for promoting volleyball and beach volleyball. It stages all the major international volleyball competitions. It aims to develop volleyball as a major media and entertainment sport.

When was it formed?

FIVB was formed on 20 April 1947.

Where is it headquartered?

It was orginally headquartered in 1947 but in 1984, FIVB moved to Lausanne, Switzerland.

Why is FIVB so important?

FIVB organises the World Championships (once every 4 years) which is the biggest event in volleyball. It is also the largest sports organisation in the world in terms of the number of affiliated National Federations (218) and awards US$25 million in Prize Money every year.

Who formed FIVB?

The founding members are Belgium, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia. FIVB's first elected President was Paul Libaud, then president of the French Federation.

How is FIVB structured?

The World Congress has ultimate authority. It meets every 2 years to elect the President and members of the Board of Administration, who undertake overall management. The Secretariat (headed by the General Manager) implements projects and programs.

Summary of History in Volleyball Dramas

Volleyball dramas have helped promote the sports among school girls around the world. Japanese comics and dramas have been especially influential in this respect.

The Japanese comics ‘Attacker No. 1” (1969) was released in Germany and “Attacker You!” (1984) was popular in Italy, France and Poland.

The Japanese drama, “Moero Attack”, released in Southeast Asia in the 1980s, was also a hit on television. It subsequently inspired local versions of volleyball dramas.

Although the Japanese comics and dramas were not released in the United States, the MTV volleyball movie, “All You’ve Got” (2006) may yet create more interest in volleyball as a sport.

Summary of History in Volleyball Hall of Fame

When was it formed? 1978.

What is it? A living memorial to the sport of volleyball.

Who have been honored? The inventor of volleyball, the most outstanding volleyball players and coaches from around the world. Merit awards has also been given to organisations and teams. (The 2006 honorees are shown above.)

Where: 444 Dwight St., Holyoke, MA 01040.

When: Thursdays to Sundays 12pm to 4:30 pm or by special appointment.

Summary of History in Beach Volleyball

2-person beach volleyball started in Santa Monica, California, USA in the 1920s. However, the first tournament was held only in 1948 and beach volleyball was introduced to the Olympics only in 1996. Brazil, Australia and the United States have each won the highly popular Women’s beach volleyball Olympic so far. The game was later popularized in the 1990s and 2000s through the media.

Summary of History in Volleyball Competitions

The earliest international volleyball competition was held in 1913 as part of the Far Eastern Games. The first World Championships was held in Prague in 1949.

Interesting facts from the first Volleyball Olympic Games
In 1957, volleyball was designated as an Olympic team sport and eventually introduced to the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964.

Japan as the host of the 1964 Olympics also won the Gold Medal for Women’s Volleyball.

The volleyball used in the Tokyo Games is now used in most modern competition.

Summary of History in Volleyball Globalization

How did volleyball spread around the world?
The game spread through the Young Men's (and Women's) Christian Associations around the world, starting from Canada (1900) to Asia, South America, Europe and Africa.

Summary of History in Volleyball Origins

Who invented volleyball?
William G. Morgan (1870-1942) born in State of New York, USA. He was a director of physical education at the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)

Why was volleyball invented?
Mr Morgan was looking for a game that was less violent and intense than basketball (a popular and new sport at that time) that would be suitable for the older people

Where was volleyball invented? Holyoke (Massachusetts, USA)

Summary of history in volleyball
Through experiments based on Mr Morgan’s own experience and training methods. The idea of the net was borrowed from the game of tennis. The net was raised to just above the height of an average man (6 feet 6 inches or 1.98m). The company, A.G. Spaldings and Bros. was commissioned to make a ball with a rubber inner tube and leather cover, circumference of 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 68.6 cm and weight of 9 to 12 ounces (252 to 336 grams).

Summary of history in volleyball - the name
Volleyball was originally named Mintonette. However, at the first demonstration game held before a congregation of YMCA Physical Education Directors in 1896, Professor Alfred T. Halstead observed the ball's unique volley action while in play and proposed to re-name the game after its visual characteristic. The congregation agreed to the name, Volley Ball. The name was later spelt as one word when in 1952, the United States Volleyball Association voted in favour of doing so.