FIVB signs equipment partner to aid development drive

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has agreed a sponsorship deal with Japanese sports equipment manufacturer Senoh Corporation.

The deal names Senoh as the official supplier of volleyball and beach volleyball equipment for all FIVB events and the Olympic Games.

The partnership commences with the 2017 volleyball season and runs until the 2024 summer Olympics.

Under the agreement, Senoh will provide posts, pads, nets, antennae, referee chairs and floor apparatus for indoor volleyball, and court lines and post bases for beach volleyball.

Senoh’s financial investment will also include the provision of expert technicians to support the installation and maintenance of equipment. Senoh will be given the chance to expand its reach to all FIVB-affiliated national associations and federations.

In addition, the FIVB will work with Senoh on the development and enhancement of the LED net, which has been trialled at FIVB events in recent years.

Senoh president Tetsuya Ozaki said: “The next Olympics will be held in our home, Tokyo. Senoh is ready to open a new era with the FIVB to further volleyball development. Through this sponsorship opportunity, we will do our best so that the sport of volleyball continues its exceptional growth and takes technology around the sport to another level.”

Senoh will have a presence at all major FIVB events, including the men’s and women’s World Championships, the World Cup, the Finals stage of the World League and World Grand Prix, as well as the Club World Championships, World Grand Champions Cup and age-group World Championships.

Beach volleyball tournaments which Senoh will provide equipment for will include the World Championships, three- to five-star World Tour events, the World Tour Finals, Continental Cup and age-group World Championships.

FIVB president Ary Graça said: “Senoh has a rich history of providing world class equipment to our sport and we know that our partnership will take us further in our mission to make volleyball the No.1 family sport entertainment in the world.”

Senoh has a history of supporting the Olympics, having supplied volleyball equipment for the Tokyo Games in 1964, when the sport made its debut.