Two years ago, FaR Out Volleyball Club partnered with Special Olympics Michigan to create a volleyball program to build lifelong relationships and teach lessons that extend far beyond the court. Through support from the JVA Grant Program, the opportunity to increase accessibility of the sport of volleyball to the athletes in SOMI was possible.
Special Olympics provided their home court with FaR Out Volleyball for a weekly volleyball practice, and with the $2,500 grant, the club had the privilege of supporting their coaches and athletes in many ways. 27 athletes fielded two teams during the 2024-2025 season. Athletes were provided with a jersey, and each team was assigned a volunteer coach from Special Olympics, along with FaR Out athletes and coaches who attended weekly practices to help train and improve skills. One of FaR Out’s five leadership staff members was present at every practice to lead, while FaR Out athletes and Special Olympics coaches ran drills and provided individual coaching.
“We had a “green” team and a “gold team” this year. The gold team went undefeated in Regionals! It’s a long day of competition for the athletes, and during the “green” team’s last match, we had a few players that didn’t feel like they could finish the game. Four “gold” team members stayed to cheer on the team, and ended up stepping in and helping the “green” team finish the day strong. It was a great example of unity and teamwork for the Special Olympic athletes,” said FaR Out Volleyball Assistant Director Cameron Rowland
Regionals was hosted in Grand Rapids therefore FaR Out volleyball athletes were there to run the tournament and cheer on the Special Olympic athletes.
“At FaR Out, we believe that trust, love, and family are the cornerstone values of our program, and we wanted to bring these values to Special Olympics,” added Cameron. “The relationship that FaR Out Volleyball Club has with Special Olympics is a dynamic and every-growing relationship. There is a lot of give and take, but at the end of the day, we are really grateful for the support the JVA has given us to financially support our friends and family in Special Olympics.“
The club was selected again for a JVA Grant in order to support its Special Olympics family. FaR Out plans to purchase updated equipment for the program, as well as meet with Special Olympics supervisors to discuss how the club can continue the sport. The idea of a “field day” has been discussed where mentally or physically disabled athletes can come in to try out different sports. FaR Out would love to contribute their time and finances to make this possible.
It may seem like a small detail to some, but the most meaningful moment I experienced as a result of the JVA grant was seeing the reactions of the Special Olympics athletes when they received their brand-new jerseys,” shared Cameron. “Many of these athletes face financial challenges that limit their ability to participate in sports. In club volleyball, it’s common to see athletes showing up each season with new shoes or the latest gear, and over time, we can lose sight of how special those things really are.”
For Special Olympics athletes, that opportunity doesn’t come as often. But thanks to the generous donation from JVA, I’ll never forget the look on their faces when I handed them their new jerseys. Some of them looked like they had just won the lottery. They were so proud to be part of the team that many even wore their jerseys to practice. Every season has its highs and lows, but the gratitude these athletes showed reminded me—and the FaR Out athletes—how powerful even a simple gesture can be. It gave us all a renewed perspective.
FaR Out Volleyball Club (Grand Rapids, MI) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, the only national association that’s 100% focused on junior volleyball and the needs of the club community. Our mission is simple: improve the junior volleyball experience. Founded in 2006 by club directors and for club directors, JVA supports nearly 1,700 member clubs with resources, events, education, and advocacy that help the sport grow in the right direction. With a focus on innovation and inclusivity, JVA empowers clubs to lead with purpose on and off the court. JVA provides education for coaches, directors, and athletes; promotes responsible athlete development; and champions opportunities for underserved communities to access the sport. Learn more at www.jvavolleyball.org and follow @jvavolleyball on Instagram.
Learn more about the JVA Grant Program
