Volleyball
Para-volleyball is an inclusive, fast-paced adaptation of volleyball designed for athletes with physical impairments, offering both competitive and recreational pathways.
The sport includes two main formats — sitting volleyball, played on a smaller court with athletes remaining seated, and standing volleyball, designed for players with limb differences or other eligible impairments.
Para-volleyball emphasises teamwork, agility, strategy, and upper-body strength, making it one of the most dynamic and accessible sports in the para-sport community.
With a strong international presence and growing participation in South Africa, it provides athletes of all abilities the opportunity to compete, belong, and excel.
What Assistance are you Looking for?
1. About Para-Volleyball
2. How is the game played?
3. Who can play?
4. Benefits of Sitting Volleyball
5. Sitting Volleyball in South Africa
1. About Para-Volleyball
One of the greatest strengths of Sitting Volleyball is its inclusivity.
Athletes with a wide range of disabilities — including lower-limb amputations, joint injuries, mobility limitations from diseases like polio, ACL injuries, or congenital limb differences — can participate successfully. Upper-body mobility is the primary requirement for movement and gameplay.
At the national level, men, women, able-bodied players, and players with disabilities can participate together.
At the international level, teams are separated into male and female divisions, and only athletes who meet specific disability classifications may compete.
Athletes may have: Single or double amputations; Fused ankles or restricted joint movement; Mobility limitations due to illness, disease, or congenital conditions
Globally, more than 50% of Sitting Volleyball athletes acquired their impairments through road or motorcycle accidents, making the sport particularly relevant to those recovering from traumatic injury.
Sitting Volleyball mirrors traditional volleyball in structure and scoring.
The court is slightly smaller and the net lower, which actually results in a faster paced game than traditional volleyball.
But the main differences is that players remain seated and move by sliding across the floor using their arms.
There are still six players a side and teams have three touches to score through digging, setting and spiking.
The smaller court and lowered net increase the pace and intensity, making the game remarkably fast and action-packed. The core skills — passing, setting, attacking, blocking, and serving — remain central to gameplay.
One of the greatest strengths of Sitting Volleyball is its inclusivity. Athletes with a wide range of disabilities — including lower-limb amputations, joint injuries, mobility limitations from diseases like polio, ACL injuries, or congenital limb differences — can participate successfully.
Upper-body mobility is the primary requirement for movement and gameplay.
At the national level, men, women, able-bodied players, and players with disabilities can participate together.
At the international level, teams are separated into male and female divisions, and only athletes who meet specific disability classifications may compete.
The benefits of participation in sitting volleyball include:
Physical Fitness:
Sitting Volleyball provides an intense, full-body workout that strengthens the arms, core, and cardiovascular system.
Social Connection:
As one of the few structured team sports for athletes with disabilities, it fosters community, confidence, and camaraderie.
Competitive Opportunities:
Sitting Volleyball is a Paralympic sport with pathways to world, continental, and club competitions. South African athletes have strong opportunities for growth because the sport is still developing locally.
Rehabilitation:
Players can begin training soon after injury because no prosthetics or wheelchairs are required. Physiotherapists often recommend the sport for both physical and psychological recovery.
Globally, Sitting Volleyball is governed by World ParaVolley, the official body overseeing competitions, rules, and athlete classifications across more than 55 countries. Their website provides comprehensive resources, international rankings, and information about global championships.
In South Africa, Sitting Volleyball is steadily gaining momentum.
Since its introduction in South Africa in 2014, Sitting Volleyball has made steady progress, but the biggest challenge remains awareness.
Many potential players — especially those living with disabilities — do not yet know that the sport exists or that they can join a team.
As awareness increases, participation grows, clubs expand, leagues strengthen, and the country becomes better positioned for international competition.
Active clubs are currently located in the Western Cape and Limpopo, with more regions developing interest.
For Western Cape enquiries, contact Tina: 084 553 4182
For Limpopo enquiries, contact Kedibone: 072 888 1769
ParaVolley South Africa runs a lively and informative Facebook page, offering news, match updates, training opportunities, and player stories.
Participation in South Africa is free, and newcomers of all abilities are warmly encouraged to join practices, try the sport, and become part of a supportive and active community.