Athletes’ voices at the heart of FIVB Strategic Vision 2032
The FIVB Athletes’ Commission convened today for its first annual meeting since the election of Fabio Azevedo as FIVB President and Louise Bawden as President of the Athletes’ Commission at the end of 2024.
All FIVB Commission meetings, including this gathering, have been conducted online this month. This format aligns with the FIVB’s commitment to reducing environmental impact while providing greater flexibility for participants. The environmental benefits of this are substantial: the total carbon footprint of online versus onsite FIVB Commission meetings is 69 tons of CO2e lower, this largely due to the lack of air travel. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by running three to four cars continuously for an entire year or the annual carbon absorption of 3,100 trees*.
In addition to environmental advantages, the shift to online meetings also yields considerable time savings. For the sixteen onsite meetings involving the President and Secretary of each Commission, the combined time spent on travel and meetings would total 884 hours. In contrast, online meetings require just 96 hours, resulting in a net saving of 788 hours. This equates to an average time saving of 24.6 hours per participant – equivalent to nearly 100 days’ worth of work for an individual.
The Athletes’ Commission reaffirmed the FIVB’s commitment to empowering volleyball and beach volleyball players worldwide through representation and enhanced support.
In his opening address, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo highlighted the importance of the Commission’s work within the framework of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, guided by the principle: “Together as One.” He outlined Strategic Vision 2032’s focus on key areas – including Beach Volleyball Turnaround; FIVB World Calendar 2029-2032; Athletes, History & Heritage; International Relations and the Olympic Movement; and Social Responsibility through Mass Participation – as central to the Commission’s mission. These priorities, he emphasised, are crucial for ensuring the sport’s continued global expansion while keeping athletes supported and empowered.
Discussions throughout the meeting centred on several critical topics, including updates on the Athletes’ Post-Career Seminar, athlete insurance and payments, annual awards and the 2025 event calendar for both volleyball and beach volleyball. These conversations aimed to address the ever-evolving needs of athletes and ensure they remain informed and supported throughout their sporting careers and beyond.
During discussions, FIVB Athletes’ Commission President Louise Bawden highlighted the importance of the Commissions’ work: “Our athletes witnessed so many exciting opportunities in 2024, and it was an honour to welcome new members to our group at the end of the year. Each of them is well-positioned to represent the interests of their fellow volleyball and beach volleyball players. The FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 reinforces the importance of giving athletes a voice and improving athlete services, truly fulfilling the vision of ‘Together as One.’ The very existence of this Commission ensures that athletes remain at the heart of the sport, and I look forward to actioning this in the coming months and years.”
The FIVB Commission meetings will continue on 25 February, with the Heritage and Legacy Commission.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) / * EEA (European Environmental Agency)
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