Volleyball is surging across Aotearoa, with courts full, communities engaged, and thousands of rangatahi embracing one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

This week alone, the scale of the game is on full display. 195 secondary school teams have gathered in Palmerston North for the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships, while 55 teams are competing in Auckland at the North Island Satellite event, and 70 teams are in action across the South Island.

A total of 320 secondary school teams are competing in indoor volleyball nationwide simultaneously.

The numbers reflect a sport continuing to build momentum. In 2025, volleyball was the second-highest participated secondary school sport in New Zealand, with over 28,000 students involved. With the growth of satellite events this year, that number is expected to grow even further, creating more opportunities for schools and athletes to compete.

Volleyball’s strength lies in its reach. It is a sport played across communities throughout Aotearoa, by athletes of all backgrounds and experience levels. That accessibility is a key reason behind the game’s rapid growth.

Across the country, there is a shared energy around the sport, from packed gyms to strong sideline support and growing school pride. The expansion of competitions has made volleyball more accessible while maintaining a clear national pathway for athletes.

Volleyball in Aotearoa is not just growing, it is establishing itself as a major part of the secondary school sporting landscape.

If you want to see what all the hype is about, check out our socials @volleyballnewzealand as well as Māori+ on YouTube to catch all of the Palmerston North action Live and on Demand. 

Article added: Wednesday 25 March 2026