Italian Volleyball family hosts Ukrainian rising stars in act of solidarity

The Italian women’s Volleyball league and the Italian Volleyball Federation have joined forces to show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine, as nine mini vans departed earlier this week from Gemona del Friuli to travel to Rzeszow, Poland, and deliver some 100 boxes of emergency aid to refugees from the eastern European country.

After stopping in Rzeszow, the delegation moved to the Polish-Ukrainian border at Medyka to collect some 56 people – including 30 young Ukrainian Volleyball players – and drive them to Italy. The youngsters are currently staying at the state-of-the-art Centro Pavesi run by the Italian Volleyball Federation in Milan – where they have found accommodation as well as a place where they can continue to train and cultivate their passion for the game.

A number of partners have contributed to this journey, including clubs competing in the highest division of the Italian women’s national league, NGOs and sponsors, as well as the staff working at the headquarters of the Italian women’s league in Milan.  

This act of solidarity has drawn much attention even from leading national media. “I would like to thank all those who have joined and contributed to this mission, which shows the tremendous sense of solidarity of our Volleyball community,” said Mauro Fabris, President of the Italian women’s Volleyball league. “We extend a warm welcome to Italy to mothers, their children as well as to the rising stars of Ukrainian Volleyball. They can be sure they will feel all of our support and help for the entire duration of their stay – even though we hope that soon they will be able to return to their homes and reunite with their loved ones back in Ukraine.”