The Polish Volleyball Federation made a move that at first glance seems technical, but actually carries a serious strategic charge. From the 2026/2027 season, all championships under its aegis – from youth leagues to professional men's and women's leagues – will be played with the same ball: Mikasa V200W. This is the model used for CEV and FIVB tournaments, including World Championships, the Nations League, and the Olympic Games.
In practice, Poland is removing one of the most underestimated, yet real, barriers in the development of volleyball players – adapting to a different ball when transitioning from domestic to international competitions. For young athletes, this means that even in academies, they will develop serving, receiving, and attacking techniques with identical characteristics of bounce, grip, and in-air behavior, which await them at the highest level.
The decision also has a purely sporting dimension. The Mikasa V200W is a ball that accelerates the game and requires more precise defensive work. This inevitably affects the quality of the training process, the profile of the developed volleyball players, and the dynamics of the championships themselves. When all age groups play under identical conditions, the transition from junior to men's and women's volleyball becomes significantly smoother.
From the perspective of coaches and analysts, the decision is also logical. Statistics from domestic championships become more comparable to those from international tournaments, and preparation planning does not require adjustments depending on the ball used. This facilitates the selection process and work with national teams.
Last but not least, this is also a strong management signal. The Polish Federation demonstrates consistency and long-term thinking – 'from the academy to the national team.' In an era where details make the difference, such unification shows why Poland continues to be one of the leading forces in world volleyball, not only in terms of results but also as a model of organization.
The decision will inevitably be observed by other federations in Europe. Because the question is simple, but inconvenient: if the biggest tournaments are played with one ball, why should children and domestic championships have to get used to another? Poland has already given its answer.
However, it should be noted that such unification is primarily within the capabilities of financially stable federations, as Mikasa balls are among the most expensive on the market, and for poorer countries, such a decision remains difficult to implement without serious support.
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