The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and World ParaVolley have teamed up for the first time to explore co-operative opportunities in the following disciplines: indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, snow volleyball, sitting volleyball and beach ParaVolley.

World ParaVolley is the independent organisation responsible for planning and delivering the sport of ParaVolley for athletes with physical impairments. The new agreement will see World ParaVolley work in close collaboration with FIVB, the federation responsible for all forms of volleyball.

The announcement was made by World ParaVoley President Barry Couzner, at the organisation's latest Board Meeting held in Hangzhou, China, and was met with great excitement.

FIVB President, Ary S. Graca said "We are very pleased to cooperate with the World ParaVolley on various projects and activities aimed at positioning volleyball as the number one family sport in the world.

“Using our beloved sport as a tool for integration and development, we would like to share the knowledge and expertise we have for the benefits of both parties."

Barry Couzner said: "As a past FIVB Board Member and current President of World ParaVolley, I am proud to see the two organisations come together and collaborate under an MoU. This will prove to be a significant event for the development of our athletes and officials in the future.

“The cooperation of our two organisations on specific projects will enable both the FIVB and World ParaVolley to boast that volleyball in all of its forms is a sport for all."

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the two organisations with a firm platform to cooperate in a number of areas including marketing, e-learning and major events that will be of benefit to the world volleyball family, its athletes and officials.