Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Vanuatu volleyball program wins global women and sport award

Vanuatu volleyball program wins global women and sport award
March 28, 2019

A Vanuatu-based beach volleyball program, Volley4Change, supported by the Australian Government through the Pacific Sports Partnerships has won the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sports Award for Oceania - a global award in recognition of its contribution to transforming the lives of women.

The Volley4Change program is delivered in partnership with Volleyball Australia.

VVF president Debbie Masauvakalo travelled from Vanuatu to New York to be presented with the award at a ceremony co-hosted by UN Women.

Volley4Change, which was established in 2013, focuses on supporting grassroots beach volleyball in Vanuatu while contributing to community development. The program’s vision is that women, girls and people with disabilities will benefit from improved health and wellbeing through nutrition, education, increased physical activity, leadership opportunities, and inclusion in sports.

The IOC judging panel highlighted the program’s multiple achievements in addressing gender issues, increasing access to volleyball, taking a holistic approach to the health benefits of sport, and creating female sporting role models through beach volleyball.

The IOC Women and Sports Awards are presented annually to individuals or organisations who have made remarkable contributions to the development, encouragement and reinforcement of women and girls’ participation in sport.

This is the second international award handed to volleyball sport for development programs supported by the Australian Government in recent years.

In 2017, the Colorful Girls Volleyball Circles program in Myanmar (delivered by Myanmar-based NGO Girl Determined and Netherlands-based NGO Women Win, through a partnership with Volleyball Australia) won the Beyond Sport: Sport for Equality Award. The award recognised the program’s work in creating opportunities for more than 1000 women and girls, many from conflict-affected communities, to participate in volleyball activities that incorporated lessons in leadership and self-advocacy.

Images: VVF President Debbie Masauvakalo with fellow winners at the IOC Women and Sports Awards (top) and Masauvakalo (at left) receives the IOC Women and Sports Award for Oceania at a ceremony in New York (below). Courtesy of IOC Media.

Related Articles

19th March 2019 - Helen Clark named global Patron for International Working Group on Women and Sport

7th March 2019 - SportAccord event to focus on women in sport

1st December 2018 - Four-year strategy announced to drive powerful change for women and girls in sport

18th October 2018 - New report shows rising international interest in womens sport

3rd July 2018 - Toyota opens largest all-weather volleyball facility in Japan

7th February 2018 - Greater Shepparton City Council welcomes beach volleyball success

1st April 2017 - Vanuatu organisers anticipate over 1,800 competitors at 2017 Pacific Mini Games

17th February 2017 - Vanuatu looks at post 2017 Pacific Mini Games venues legacy

10th March 2016 - Beach volleyball to make Commonwealth Games debut at Gold Coast 2018


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Riedel Communications Australia Pty Ltd

We live for media production and global events, providing real-time networks for video, audio, data and communications.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Venues

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 

Sportybots

We are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…

read more

Fitness / Play / Recreation / Sport / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business