ParaVolley

Volleyball is for everyone.

Volleyball Australia is committed to creating opportunities for people with disability to experience, enjoy and excel in volleyball — from their first involvement in the sport through to representing Australia internationally.

ParaVolley is the international term for volleyball disciplines for athletes with a physical disability. In Australia, our primary focus is Sitting Volleyball, supported by the continued development of Beach ParaVolley.

Volleyball Australia also supports opportunities for athletes who are Deaf or hard of hearing to participate in Deaf Volleyball.

Sitting Volleyball

Fast. Tactical. Inclusive.
A Paralympic discipline played by six athletes per side on a smaller court with a lower net. Sitting Volleyball is open to everyone at community level, with classification requirements applying for international ParaVolley competition.

Beach ParaVolley

Dynamic. Athletic. Emerging.
A standing form of ParaVolley played on sand with three athletes per team. Beach ParaVolley is an internationally developing discipline for athletes with eligible physical impairments.

Deaf Volleyball

Competitive. Connected. Accessible.
Volleyball for Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, played in Indoor and Beach formats. Deaf Volleyball sits within the international Deaf sport pathway and is supported in Australia by Volleyball Australia.

Why Get Involved?

Volleyball – The Ideal Sport for People with a Disability

Volleyball is an ideal sport that can cater for a wide range of individuals with a disability.

Volleyball is a uniquely inclusive sport, as it can involve people with minor disabilities, as well as people who are more severely disabled. For example, top international Sitting Volleyball teams use setters who are double leg amputees.

Volleyball is considered an economical discipline, especially for Sitting Volleyball, since no expensive prostheses or wheelchairs and no specialised equipment is needed. The only facilities needed for sitting volleyball are floor space, a rope or net, and a ball. For Beach ParaVolley, no change to facilities is required as the game can be played on the same beach volleyball court and against the same teams as able-bodied pairs.

As a team sport, volleyball can be played by people with a disability together with able-bodied individuals. It is versatile, being played by youths, juniors, adults and seniors in any combination. Unlike many sports, volleyball can be played at all levels co-educationally, creating a sociable and integrated atmosphere appreciated by all involved.

There is great potential for fun, inclusion and cooperation

Information and Resources

The following links provide additional information about Volleyball for people with a disability and for those who are interested in getting involved.

General Information: