Kobe, Japan, September 30, 2016 – The International Volleyball Federation and Eventcourt are pleased to confirm Hisamitsu Springs Kobe as hosts of the eleventh edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship from May 8 to 14, 2017.
FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said: “I look forward to seeing the Women’s Club World Championship take place in Japan for the first time. Japan has hosted many great volleyball events in the past and next year’s Women’s Club World Championship will be another FIVB event which is sure to be popular with fans in Japan who will get a chance to see the best club teams and players in the world.”
“Kobe will follow in the footsteps of Manila who will also debut as a Club World Championship host in just under three weeks' time when the 2016 women’s edition visits the Philippines for the first time, contributing to the growth of volleyball worldwide and helping the FIVB in its vision to make volleyball the number one family sport entertainment in the world.”
Japan follows Brazil (1991, 1994), Italy (1992), Qatar (2010, 2011, 2012), Switzerland (2013, 2014, 2015), and the Philippines (2016) as host country of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
FIVB Executive Co-opted Member Stav Jacobi said he was convinced Kobe will provide a spectacular event.
“Japan has a long tradition of hosting international top events. The Olympic Games in 1964, where volleyball celebrated its debut as an Olympic sport, the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in 2010, and the FIVB Volleyball World Cups last year are just some examples of the long and very successful history of volleyball tournaments in Japan.”
“The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe will be another big milestone in the consistent growth of international women’s volleyball.”
“The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship has established itself amongst the top tournaments in sport over the last years and I am sure that the edition in Kobe will be another important step into a bright future for women’s club volleyball,” added Jacobi, President of Eventcourt.
JVA President Kenji Kimura said he was looking forward to the upcoming volleyball year featuring the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Kobe and the FIVB World Grand Champions Cups – also to take place in Japan.
“I believe that the development of club volleyball is necessary to improve the level of the national teams too. Therefore I hope a lot of Japanese volleyball players will get inspired and motivated by the experience of hosting this great tournament in our country.”
The 2017 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship will also be a historic event for Japanese club volleyball as Japan will field two sides in the most prestigious tournament in club volleyball.
Besides hosts Hisamitsu Springs Kobe, compatriots NEC Red Rockets will also get to play for the most coveted trophy in club volleyball. The Kawasaki-based side booked their ticket after claiming the trophy in the AVC Women’s Club Championship in Manila this month.
The spots for the 2017 CEV Champions League winners and the 2017 CSV South American Club Champions as well as the four wild cards, on the other hand, are still up for grabs.
“I wish all of the eight participants, including Japanese hosts Hisamitsu Springs and Asian representatives NEC Red Rockets, all the best and success. I know the Japanese volleyball fans are going to do everything in their power to build up a great atmosphere and to inspire all of the
