VBTC Sports was at the stadium today covering sitting volleyball, which was part of their outreach program. They have already held several tournaments and competitions, and today’s event was to determine the winner of the sitting volleyball competition.

Five communities representing different wards, together with a disability team, took part in the sitting volleyball competition.

VBTC Sports spoke with Jeffrey Iautu Lenson, who said life is challenging for people with disabilities, but the sport gives them confidence.

“As a player in sitting volleyball, I am proud of the game because it helps build the morale of people with disabilities. There are many kinds of disabilities, and many people face different challenges today. But through a sport like sitting volleyball, we see that it promotes inclusion and teaches many things. It is a sport that gives people more strength and helps lift their abilities despite their disabilities.”

Today’s program will conclude with the presentation of a sitting volleyball shield, which will remain in circulation until the next tournament next year.

The Vanuatu Beach Volleyball Development Officer spoke about how communities benefit from the sport.

“Through Volley for Change, we see that it helps mothers and young people a lot. Some people did not know how to take part in sport or how to interact with people with disabilities, but through the lessons we share with them, they begin to understand what we are teaching. The awareness programs we conduct in communities are followed by competitions where different wards come together to compete again. The prize is not cash but a shield. The shield will be an ongoing trophy so we can see who wins today, and next year another ward will have the opportunity to compete for and take the shield from the current champions.”

The entire morning was dedicated to sitting volleyball, bringing together mothers, young people from the communities, and people with disabilities to compete.

Today’s activities included both a community program and a sitting volleyball program.

Volley for Change involves many mothers in the community and, together with people with disabilities, promotes participation across all genders.