Snow volleyball tournaments have been held in Bardonecchia as the sport continues to chase inclusion on the programme for the 2025 Winter World University Games in Turin ©Turin 2025

Organisers of the 2025 Winter World University Games in Turin hosted a #TO25 Snow Volley Festival in Bardonecchia, featuring a series of friendly tournaments, as the sport continues to be under consideration for inclusion. 

The men's tournament saw Poles Piotr Groszek, Karol Szczepanik and Michal Matyia win in the final against the team from the Czech Republic consisting of Jan Mrkous, Filip Stastny and Frantisek Pihera, with twos sets ending 15-12 and 21-19.

The Czech team were then able to win another tournament that used the king of the court format  which eliminates team if they drop a point.

In the women's tournament, Italian trio of Sara Breidenbach, Anna Dalmazzo and Sofia Arcaini, won in three sets in the final against Andrea Giudici, Monica Pastorino and Cristiana Parenzan, who were also Italian.

The trio also claimed the victory in the queen of the court tournament.

Snow volleyball has launched a major campaign to get added to the Turin 2025 programme ©Turin 2025
Snow volleyball has launched a major campaign to get added to the Turin 2025 programme ©Turin 2025

Alessandro Ciro Sciretti, the President of Turin 2025 and Edisu Piemonte, talked about the rise of Snow Volley Italia, as they aim to be a part of the Winter World University Games. 

"The #To25 Snow Volleyball Festival was the first sports event organised by the Turin 2025 Committee in view of the Games that await us in less than two years, and we are enthusiastic about the response we received both in terms of participation of international athletes and the public, who were able to discover a new discipline on the snow," he said.

"Bardonecchia has responded to our call in a big way and I am convinced that Pinerolo, Pragelato and Torre Pellice will do the same, as they, together with Turin, want to enrich the offer of events, both sporting and cultural, on the path towards the 2025 World University Winter Games."

Ary Graça°, President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), talked about their willingness to expand the sport into new fields.

"The FIVB is committed to developing the sport of snow volleyball around the world, and we are always behind initiatives that provide opportunities for people to engage with the sport," he said.

"The festival of snow volleyball in Bardonecchia has truly embraced the universality of our sport, as well as the fun and unique spirit of snow volleyball."

The Polish team won the men's tournament after a final against the Czech Republic ©FISU
The Polish team won the men's tournament after a final against the Czech Republic ©FISU

Snow Volley Italia President Giuseppe Manfredi was delighted that they were able to host an international tournament.

"We are very happy that such an important international Snow Volleyball event was staged in Bardonecchia," he said.

"I am convinced that it will be an excellent showcase for this discipline, in which the Federation is investing significant resources. 

"After last season, in fact, during which the first edition of the Italian Championship, consisting of two stages, was held, this year the tricolour circuit on the snow has increased to four events. 

"I know that all participants had a lot of fun and I send my thanks to the organisers of the Festival."

Turin 2025 is due to take place January 13 to 23 in two years time.

The programme is scheduled to have 12 sports on the programme, including Alpine skiing and snowboarding.