24 March, 2024
In recent weeks, VVF President Debbie Masauvakalo has been ‘on the road’ as part of her ongoing dedication to all-things volleyball on a bigger scale than just continuing to develop the sport in Vanuatu.
World Para Volley
Before departing for the Oceania Volleyball AGM being held in Hawaii in mid-March, Masauvakalo was informed she had been voted into the role of Vice President of World Para Volley.
“The Board of Directors for World ParaVolley appointed Debbie Masauvakalo (VAN) to the position of Vice President, filling a vacancy created with the succession of Lori Okimura (USA) to the position of President after the retirement of Barry Couzner OAM (AUS).” – WPV.
VVF began its involvement with World Para Volley several years ago when looking for guidance in implementing a sitting volleyball element, as part of its Volley4Change program. The V4C para program has since grown and is now expanding to introduce Beach Para volley as a development initiative, both at community level and with a view to nurture a national representative team.
As a result of this drive to incorporate disability inclusion into the V4C program, having signed an MOU with Vanuatu Paralympic Committee in 2018, VVF became a member of WPV in 2019, the only Pacific nation to do so.
This appointment as WPV vice president is in addition to Debbie Masauvakalo’s other leadership positions, including with international beach volleyball (FIVB), the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC – Beach), a member of the Commonwealth Games Beach Volleyball Committee and as the Oceania Beach Volleyball Commissioner with Oceania Volleyball.
While playing down her impressive credentials, Ms Masauvakalo is proud of her new WPV role, of the work VVF is doing and of her contribution to the development of the sport more broadly, both in Vanuatu and internationally.
“I’m very pleased and honoured to take on this role with WPV, firstly because I think it’s valuable for governing sports bodies such as this to hear from a Pacific perspective and voice, and I believe strongly that it is also important for women to be involved in sports governance at a senior level. I look forward to supporting Lori as the president of WPV,“ said Masauvakalo.
OCEANIA VOLLEYBALL
The Oceania Volleyball AGM, which took place in Waikiki, Hawaii from 14-15 March, saw the re-election of VVF President Debbie Masauvakalo as Oceania Beach Volleyball Commissioner, among other appointments.
With an impressive attendance of 18 from 22 national federations, the OZVA meeting saw several important issues discussed. One of the key outcomes of these was the approval of the establishment of an Oceania Volleyball Women’s Commission.
In addition, Ms Masauvakalo had successful talks with other FIVB members about support for a Vanuatu Beach Volleyball U19s Academy and the development of a coach education school program for volleyball, with the aim to nurture skilled and qualified ni-Vanuatu coaches to serve the growth, progression and sustainability of the sport.
OZVA Merit Award presentation (L-R) Terry Sasser – Sec Gen OZVA, Debbie M, Hugh Graham, Pres OZVA
Debbie was also presented with the OZVA 2024 Merit Award, with the OZVA Secretary-General, Terry Sasser highlighting her ongoing commitment to the Vanuatu elite beach program, in his presentation speech:
“Debbie Wooster-Masauvakalo has sustained a high-performance beach program in Vanuatu that is paying dividends. The model is something that we all need to take on. With the principal focus being volleyball, she has incorporated social change for issues such as domestic abuse. She has shown the small island countries of the Pacific that it can be done with the teams that have gone through her program and have found great success, not only regionally, but internationally. Debbie, thank you for your leadership!”
ENDS
