OUR WHAKAPAPA

OUR WHAKAPAPA

Volleyball first arrived in Aotearoa in the 1950s and quickly gained momentum through schools, communities, and clubs nationwide. In 1968, Volleyball New Zealand was officially established as the national governing body, bringing structure, strategy, and support to the sport across the motu.

Over the decades, our game has evolved from gymnasiums and grassroots beginnings into a nationwide movement with international reach. From competing in global tournaments to hosting major events on home soil, Volleyball New Zealand has played a central role in elevating the sport’s profile and creating new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials.

Today, volleyball is one of the most played school sports in the country and continues to grow in both indoor and beach formats. With strong cultural ties, passionate communities, and a rising generation of talent, our history is still being written... powered by the people who love this game.

BRINGING VOLLEYBALL TO AOTEAROA

Ctirad Benacek has been said to have introduced volleyball to New Zealand, and being apart of creating the club “Sparta” in 1954 in Panmure, Auckland.A Czech Republic National Representative who played in the 1948 Olympics in London had come to New Zealand in the early 1950’s & in the New Zealand volleyball circles was nick-named “Mr Volleyball”. Benacek was also mentioned to be one of the best top 3 coaches in the world of Volleyball during the 1970’s & 80’s.

Historical OverviewIn 1967 saw the formation of the “New Zealand Federation of Volleyball Clubs”. The sport was about to create its new history throughout the country. The following year, 1968, the first “New Zealand Club Championships” was created.One of the pioneering clubs in New Zealand was Sparta Volleyball in Auckland. They were founded by a group of immigrants in 1954. Being one, of many of the original clubs, played the Maiden New Zealand Club Championships in 1968, in which the Sparta men’s team won (the team of 1968 comprised of 1 Dutch, 1 Australian, 1 Samoan, 1 Russian, 1 Kiwi & 4 Czechs).Also that year winning the first ever Women’s New Zealand Volleyball Title (known as Spiders Cup) was Hamilton Teacher’s College. And like Sparta’s men, Hamilton Teacher’s College would win the next two years before relinquishing it’s reign.

In 1969, Wellington Eagles (another pioneer club of NZL Volleyball) donated to the “New Zealand Federation of Volleyball Clubs” a silver cup known as the “Eagles Cup” for the winner of the Men’s National Championships. They flew to the top of New Zealand Volleyball by winning the cup in 1971 and have since appeared in five finals. But as for Sparta’s Men, they would dominate in years to come, tallying the most wins for any men’s club team with 13 National Championships.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION 

Life Members

Distinguished Service Awards

Honorary President

Special Distinguished Service Awards

Service Awards

Olympians 

Roll of Honour FIVB

NZSSC Service To School Sport 

* denotes deceased

ALL TIME SCHOOL RESULTS

NZSS INDOOR BOYS WINNERS

NZSS INDOOR BOYS WINNERS 

ALL TIME BEACH RESULTS 

NZ OPEN MENS

NZ OPEN WOMEN 

NZBT MENS TOUR WINNERS

NZBT WOMENS TOUR WINNERS