For more than a hundred years, Kansas City, Missouri, has been known as the City of Fountains, and it is widely known for serving up some of the world’s best barbecue. But in the last few decades, Kansas City has added a new nickname to its list: City of Fanatics—sports fanatics, that is. – See more here.

How fitting that the 2016 JVA World Challenge makes its debut in Kansas City, as the JVA embarks upon it’s 10 year anniversary, a huge milestone forwhat once was a very small organization with a very large purpose. Since it’s formation in 2006, the JVA has been a unified voice for the junior volleyball clubs. After all, the clubs serve the players, and the players are the most important component of our growing sport. As an organization that is committed to the growth and development of junior volleyball, the JVA strives to make the volleyball experience as enjoyable and fun as possible.

The JVA World Challenge is designed around that concept. FUN. Winning is fun. Especially when the 1st and 2nd place in each division earn a paid entry to the AAU Girls National Championships in Orlando, Florida. But the reality is that most teams do not walk away a winner, especially when the field of competition is as fierce as the World Challenge, boasting 8 of the top 20 teams in the nation in the 18 Open Division alone. However, the tournament has plenty of opportunities for teams and individuals to walk away with a win through contests, trivia and fun team activities. The JVA World Challenge has formed a reputation of providing more than just a volleyball tournament for clubs; it is an event that creates a fun experience for all ages.  

Rox Volleyball, the title sponsor of the JVA World Challenge for the 6th year in a row, always serves up a fun way for teams to interact while not on the volleyball court. As a brand that was created by former and current volleyball players, Rox Volleyball’s cutting edge products fit in perfectly with the image of the JVA as pushing the envelope in the world of volleyball to improve the experience for its participants. This year, teams can compete in “Team Feud,” designed after the well-known game show “Family Feud.” 16 teams will compete for the chance to win a $250 shopping spree at the Rox Store. 

The JVA Dig It App includes free event updates, local deals/attractions and a number of contests to win gift cards, t-shirts, volleyballs, and even tickets for a volleyball team to attend the FC Kansas City Professional Soccer Game on Saturday! As always, matches will be streamed live with EnetLive.tv with easy access through the app. All the live info and contests are in the App and will keep participants engaged all weekend long!

Saturday is historically Dig Pink Day and we are fortunate to partner with the Side-Out Foundation to support research and raise awareness for stage 4 breast cancer. Players at the JVA World Challenge will be eligible to win the Side-Out/JVA Dig Pink Award, click here for more information. 

We are ecstatic for what the Paris of the Plains holds for us this weekend. With 570 teams from 27 states and Canada, Jinx, the face of the JVA will be busy roaming around the Kansas City Convention Center, making new friends and visiting with old ones. 

“As a national association, this is one of few opportunities that we have to interact personally with our many JVA member club directors and coaches who participate in the World Challenge. I look forward to catching up on their club news” shares JVA Executive Director Jenny Hahn.

The JVA World Challenge is one of the most highly recruited events of the club season, as many college coaches know it is their only chance besides the of the season AAU Nationals, to see all the top teams in country compete under one roof.  It’s hard to say who’s more eager for this event, the players, the coaches, or the JVA staff, but what we do know, is that Kansas City is about to host a fun volleyball event for all!

Stay connected to the JVA World Challenge and the JVA all weekend long:

Tournament Website
FaceBook
Twitter: @jrvbassociation
Instagram: jvavolleyball
Snapchat: JVAvolleyball
JVA Dig It App