IWAS and World ParaVolley sign co-operation agreement

“Future cooperative activities could well include both sitting volleyball and standing beach volleyball events and this is great for our respective athletes as we both need to provide them with more opportunities to participate at all levels."

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World ParaVolley in an effort to strengthen cooperation between the organisations and to facilitate promotion and competition opportunities for the sport.

The MoU was signed by IWAS President, Paul DePace and World ParaVolley President Barry Couzner following a meeting during the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

“We are very pleased to partner with the IWASF in a way that will benefit both of our organisations,” Couzner said. “Future cooperative activities could well include both sitting volleyball and standing beach volleyball events and this is great for our respective athletes as we both need to provide them with more opportunities to participate at all levels. I am sure our organisations will work pro-actively to make things happen.”

With the MoU's primary objective to increase opportunities for athletes, inclusion of the sport in the IWAS Games programme was covered in the agreement which will be reviewed in 2020.

This year’s IWAS World Games includes archery, athletics, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo from 30 November – 6 December in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal.

DePace said: “It is a fantastic step to have officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding with World ParaVolley and we look forward to our partnership increasing the reach of both organisations and the sporting opportunities provided to athletes with physical impairments around the world.”