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Approximately 1,200 young volleyball prospects from across the country engaged in fierce competition over five days in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. With a total of 76 teams participating, ranging from elementary to middle school levels, champions were crowned in five categories.
The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) announced that the "2026 Jecheon National Youth Club Volleyball Tournament," held in Jecheon City from the 28th of last month to the 1st of this month, concluded successfully.
Co-hosted by KOVO and the Jecheon City Volleyball Association, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Jecheon City, the Jecheon City Council, and the Jecheon City Sports Association, the tournament was conducted across four gymnasiums, including Jecheon Middle School, Jecheon Girls' Middle School, Yirim Elementary School, and Namcheon Elementary School.
A total of 76 teams from across the country, comprising approximately 1,200 athletes, participated in five categories: elementary middle-grade division (mixed boys and girls, grades 3-4), elementary upper-grade boys' and girls' divisions (grades 5-6), and middle school boys' and girls' divisions.
In the elementary middle-grade division, Hyohaeng Elementary School from Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do Province, secured the championship. In the elementary upper-grade boys' division, Geumho Elementary School from Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, took the top spot, while Pyeongsan Elementary School from Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, claimed victory in the girls' division. Daejeon SVA won the middle school boys' division, and Haman Girls' Middle School from Gyeongsangnam-do Province earned the honor of winning the girls' division.
Beyond simply determining a champion, this tournament also served as an opportunity for young athletes to experience national-level competition. KOVO's youth volleyball tournaments began in 2013. The aim is to foster a youth volleyball culture centered on schools and local clubs, helping young players develop an interest in the sport while gaining practical match experience.
The scale of the tournaments has been consistently maintained. Last August, the National Youth Club Volleyball Tournament held in Jecheon saw participation from 88 teams and approximately 1,400 people. In December of that year, 42 elementary school teams affiliated with national youth volleyball classes competed in the KOVO Cup Youth Volleyball Tournament held in Gimcheon.
Alongside hosting tournaments, KOVO operates youth volleyball classes. These programs involve conducting physical education lessons using volleyball and balls for elementary students in areas where professional volleyball teams are based, as well as recruiting instructors to run the programs.
Last year, a dedicated department for youth development support was established, laying the groundwork for more systematic advancement of volleyball class operations, tournament hosting, and the cultivation of youth elite teams. Support was also provided at this Jecheon tournament to reduce the burden on participating athletes. KOVO covered living expenses necessary for tournament participation, such as transportation and meals, and provided match equipment, including game uniforms and knee pads, to teams affiliated with youth volleyball classes.
KOVO stated, "We plan to continue support initiatives, such as operating volleyball classes and hosting national tournaments, so that young athletes can gain diverse experiences through volleyball and continue to enjoy the sport."
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