VolleySLIDE increasing presence of sitting volleyball

Matthew Rogers, founder of VolleySLIDE, shares how the sport is encouraging mass participation at the club level and below. 06 Apr 2014
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Iran beat Rwanda 3-0 and is the favourite to qualify on Pool B at the London 2012 sitting volleyball tournament.

Iran beat Rwanda 3-0 and is the favourite to qualify on Pool B at the London 2012 sitting volleyball tournament.

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By VolleySLIDE

Started in January 2013, VolleySLIDE has expanded rapidly and already provides a complete set of tools and resources to help enthusiasts worldwide to introduce sustainable “low-level” recreational sitting volleyball.

Having worked to launch sitting volleyball in Great Britain to prepare teams for London 2012, Matt Rogers realised how little was available to support enthusiasts in a similar position. So using the rapid growth that he initiated, as a foundation, Matt set about creating a global resource, available on a central platform, entitled VolleySLIDE.

Started in January 2013, VolleySLIDE has expanded rapidly and already provides a complete set of tools and resources to help enthusiasts worldwide to introduce sustainable “low-level” recreational sitting volleyball. It focuses on the accessible and inclusive nature of sitting volleyball by encouraging mass integrated participation for all at club level and below.

VolleySLIDE utilises the power and reach of the internet and social media to reach more people at less cost and has already had a significant impact on the number of countries benefitting from the sport, and the quality and experience of the activities.

On their website can be found:

• A “Getting Started” section

• A template for self-led “VolleySLIDE Workshops”

• A “Full Resource” for sports teachers and volleyball coaches to run introductory sessions

• A “Short Resource” for medical workers involved with rehabilitation

• Further links and educational blogs

Volunteers , including six co-ordinators and more than 14 translators currently run VolleySLIDE. As a result of its success it has recently been fully integrated into World ParaVolley, the International Federation (IF) responsible for sitting volleyball.

People from 113 countries have already accessed the VolleySLIDE website and, with World ParaVolley support in identifying target nations, well over 63 countries have received educational materials.

Being based on a sport that can be played by anyone with little technical requirements and using the internet and social media to spread the word, it is expected that this ChangeMaker, VolleySLIDE, will continue to be one of the major forces using sport as a tool for positive change.

To mark the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the development arm of the IPC, the Agitos Foundation, is publishing stories where sport has helped to change lives or societies as part of the ChangeMakers campaign.

From 30 March until 13 April, stories will be posted on Paralympic.org and on the Agitos Foundation’s newly launched Facebook and Twitter pages.

Like or follow them to keep up to date with the latest news on the development of para-sport.