International Volleyball Federation unveil nine goals aimed at propelling growth of sport

FIVB President Ary Graca outlined the body's new strategic goals here today ©ITG

Shifting volleyball from a group two to a group one sport in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rankings by 2020 has been named as one of a raft of ambitious goals unveiled here today designed to revolutionise the sport's organisation and appeal.

In total, nine goals were unveiled by International Volleyball Federation President (FIVB) Ary Graça, all cited as key to achieving a vision of becoming the "number one family entertainment sport in the world".

Raising volleyball into the top tier of Olympic sports - a group currently occupied only by aquatics, athletics and gymnastics - appears the most ambitious target.

Graca, who became FIVB President in 2012, has repeatedly pledged to raise the stature of the sport within the Olympic Movement, and he reiterated once again his commitment to being a "loyal partner" with the IOC.

Being in the top group of five means more revenue from the Olympic Games, with volleyball currently joined by basketball, cycling, football and tennis in the second tier.

There still appears much ground to make-up on the three heavyweight sports in the top group, but, if the goal is to be achieved, alot depends on the success of next year's Olympic competition in Rio de Janeiro.

Both volleyball and beach volleyball have enjoyed strong ticket sales so far and are expected to be among the highlights of the Games, following on from recent successful World Championships in Poland, Italy and The Netherlands.

Reaching two million users on FIVB digital platforms by 2016 is a second goal, along with increasing cumulative television audiences by 20 per cent in 2016 and by 100 per cent in 2020.

Building upon success of events such as the ongoing FIVB World Tour Finals here will be key ©Getty Images

Broadcasting and utilising social media has long been a key goal for the organisation, as showcased here by their partnership with Red Bull, with making available a TV or internet feed for all "key FIVB events" in all 221 National Federations by next year another aim.

Other goals , which were approaved by the FIVB Board of Administration following a "colloborative and internal process" earlier this year, relate to the running of the governing body, which is aiming to sign four new global sponsors by 2020 with a goal of bringing in $10 million (£6 million/€9 million) per year.

More than doubling the average FIVB annial income from $31 million (£19 million/€27 million) to $66 million (£40 million/€58 million) by Tokyo 2020 is another target, along with having "a sustainable, competitive, effective and sustainable bidding process by 2018 for all FIVB Main events".

In a broader sense, they are also aiming to increase the number of licensed and amateur players by 2018, through rolling-out Development Programmes, while also becoming the "number one sport that serves the need of humanitarian organisations in their programmes".

“Today represents a historic and exciting milestone for the FIVB," added Graça.

"Our success has been built on the foundation of a strong vision: to make volleyball the number one family sport entertainment in the world and these nine goals will help us achieve this vision.

"These goals are fundamental to the ongoing growth and development of volleyball and beach volleyball as we look to engage with the sport’s ever growing global fan base and become the world’s leading family sport entertainment.”