During the press conference for the Women's Champions League final, it was announced that the European Association of Women's Volleyball Clubs (EAWVC) has been established. The new organization, founded in Istanbul on the eve of the final tournament, unites eleven of the continent's most influential clubs.
🔻Who are the founders?
Four countries are represented among the founders:
Turkey(5 clubs): Fenerbahçe, Vakıfbank, Eczacıbaşı, Galatasaray, and Türk Hava Yolları.
Italy: Savino Del Bene Scandicci and Vero Volley Milano.
France: Volley Mulhouse Alsace and Volero Le Cannet.
Poland: Developres Rzeszów and Budowlani Łódź.
An interesting fact is that three of the four teams participating in the Champions League Final Four in Istanbul are part of the new association.
📉The only exception is the Italian dominant team of recent years -Imoco Conegliano- this is a curious detail that suggests possible divergences in visions for the development of women's volleyball.
🎯Goals and ambitions
According to the official announcement, the main goal of EAWVC is "the creation of a volleyball ecosystem in Europe" that is "sustainable, successful, and in line with the global sports landscape." The association will strive for:
Institutional dialogue:Engaging in discussions with key federations such as CEV (European Volleyball Confederation) and FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) to jointly create strategies and optimize the competition calendar.
Commercial cooperation:Mutual support between member clubs in a commercial aspect.
Attracting investments:Making women's volleyball a more attractive sport for investors, utilizing successful models from football and basketball.
🧐What's next?
The creation of this association can be seen as an attempt by the leading clubs to have a stronger voice in decision-making affecting the future of women's club volleyball in Europe. For now, it remains unclear what the official reaction of the governing bodies, CEV and FIVB, will be to the new organization and its goals.
This move marks a new chapter in the organization of European women's volleyball, and it remains to be seen what the real results of the cooperation between these elite clubs will be.
