Sitting volleyball
Dive into the world of the game
Fully grounded and yet elevated in the game, sitting volleyball is a dynamic Paralympic sport with the same objective as standing volleyball: to score points by sending the ball onto the opponent’s side of the court. Except at the international level, this sport, accessible to all, brings together people with and without physical disabilities on a more equitable playing environment.
Born in the Netherlands in 1956 as a rehabilitation tool for wounded soldiers, sitting volleyball combines speed, strategy, and teamwork, all while being played seated on the floor. Inspired by traditional volleyball and German Sitzball, it became a Paralympic sport in 1980 for men and in 2004 for women. In Canada, sitting volleyball emerged in the 1990s thanks to the support of Volleyball Canada and adapted sport programs. José Rebelo, a silver medalist in para volleyball (standing) at Sydney 2000, joined the sitting sport in 2007 and quickly became a key figure in the sport. More recently, athlete Allison E. Lang won bronze at the 2024 Paralympics, the very first medal for Canadian sitting volleyball at this stage.
Our ambassador in Quebec explains sport to you in pictures:
To learn more:
Anyone can play sitting volleyball at the recreational level! To play on the national team, athletes must be eligible based on classification standards.
The classification system allows athletes to be assessed and placed in the specific VS1 or VS2 categories. Disabilities or impairments that qualify athletes to play sitting volleyball include, but are not limited to:
- Leg length difference
- Deficiency of a limb
- Limb deficiency – amputation or dysmelia of a limb
- Hypertension
- Ataxia
- Athetosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of range of motion
- Loss of muscle strength
The rules are based on those of the FIVB indoor volleyball and have only a few differences that make sitting volleyball an adapted sport. (documents in French)
The sport is currently developing in Quebec.
We are currently recruiting players, coaches, and referees interested in getting involved in the sport to create a league. Currently, the sport is mainly represented through introductory sessions as part of the Au-delà des Limites (Bridging the Gap) program.
Although no competition is yet in place in the province, the national women’s team is actively shining on the international stage, with notable participations in the Paralympic Games of Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Quebec resident Allison Lang plays a central role, helping to keep Canada among the best teams in the world.
The team notably won the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
No official team is currently formed in Quebec, but the sport is gradually developing in the province. And what if the next chapter started with you?
Contact our team to learn more
Jean-Michel Lavallière
Parasports Québec Sitting Volleyball Coordinator