Volleyball World’s new CEO, Ugo Valensi

Volleyball World has appointed Ugo Valensi as its new chief executive officer, effective from 4 August 2025. Valensi brings with him a wealth of global experience in sports leadership, media innovation, and commercial strategy.

His arrival comes at a pivotal moment as Volleyball World builds on the momentum provided by the sport’s exposure at last year’s Summer Olympics in Paris. 800 million people worldwide now engage with volleyball in some form, and last year Volleyball World content had a combined 1.8 billion views across television and digital platforms, underscoring the sport’s growing global appeal.

VBTV, Volleyball World’s successful OTT platform, has experienced 55% year-on-year growth in paid subscribers. Over the course of the first three weeks of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League, watch time was 166% higher than in 2024.

Volleyball World’s award-winning social media platforms also continue to grow. Over 20 million people follow Volleyball World’s social channels, a 14% year-on-year growth. With China channels set to be relaunched, 2025 is expected to become the highest growth year for social media reach.

Valensi joins from Grand Slam Tennis, where as CEO he managed the partnership between the Grand Slams, overseeing strategic collaboration across the sport’s most iconic tournaments — the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

During his tenure, he helped elevate Grand Slam Tennis’s global footprint, enhancing fan-centric storytelling, and unlocking new value for rights holders and partners. This included leading negotiations between the four Grand Slams, ATP and WTA Tours with Netflix for the groundbreaking Break Point documentary series – the first significant commercial project across the Grand Slams, ATP and WTA Tours. He also led the development of a unified governance framework, spearheaded cross-tournament commercial initiatives, and laid the groundwork for a shared digital and media strategy.

Prior to this, Valensi led the Sportfive agency, where he oversaw a successful turnaround and its sale to private equity. His experience managing global sports organisations and driving strategic transformation will be central to Volleyball World’s next phase of growth.

Valensi will start in his role just after the Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Nations League Finals and shortly before the Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Thailand (22 August to 7 September) and Men’s Volleyball World Championship in the Philippines (12 to 28 September) – the first time both championships have been held in Asia. The Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in Adelaide, Australia, in November.

As Volleyball World looks to elevate the sport’s global appeal up to and beyond the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Valensi’s leadership will play a key role in expanding its reach and deepening fan engagement.

Valensi said: “I’m honoured to join Volleyball World at such an exciting moment in its journey. Since its launch in 2021, the organisation has redefined what’s possible for professional volleyball — blending sporting excellence with global entertainment appeal. With 800 million people engaging with volleyball worldwide, there is immense untapped potential. I look forward to working with Michael Payne, the team at Volleyball World, the FIVB, CVC Capital Partners and all our partners to expand our reach, deepen fan connections, and unlock the next wave of growth for this extraordinary sport.”

Michael Payne, chair of Volleyball World said: “We are very lucky to have secured Ugo as our new CEO. He brings a wealth of expertise in the sports business, from both the rights holder and agency side. Through his time at Grand Slam Tennis and as CEO of Sportfive, he has shown his undoubted commercial acumen. Having listened to him outline his vision for Volleyball World, I look forward to working with him at this exciting time for the organization and the sport of volleyball.”

Fabio Azevedo, president of FIVB said: “We are very excited to welcome Ugo Valensi to Volleyball World and the Global Volleyball Movement. His impressive leadership experience in the international sports industry make him the perfect person to lead Volleyball World in this next chapter. We are confident that Ugo, together with the strong team of professionals at Volleyball World and the FIVB, will help us take volleyball to new heights.”

Indian swimmer Benediction Rohit is a top prospect ahead of the 2025 Asian Swimming Championships
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

The Blue Devils will spotlight each of the six newcomers ahead of preseason practice starting in late July.

Our second rookie is Kaylee Kim, a 5-4 forward from Belmont, Calif.  Kim is listed as the No. 5 player from the Northern California and Hawaii regions.  A 2024 NorCal All-League First Team (2023) and Second Team (2024, 2022) selection, Kim tallied 32 goals and nine assists as a freshman and sophomore at Carlmont High School.  She also competes for Bay Area Surf club team.

 

To stay up to date with Blue Devils women’s soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching “DukeWSOC”.

#GoDuke

 

GoDuke.com: What made you choose Duke?

Kaylee Kim: I chose Duke because of the strong sense of family and community that surrounded me from the start. The team demonstrated incredible support and loyalty to one another and the school as a whole made every student feel welcomed and valued. The coaches made me feel at home while also showing me that they’re committed to pushing me to reach my full potential.

 

GD: Tell us about your soccer game and what you hope to bring to Duke?

KK:  I’m a hard worker who is always determined to chase after every ball, sacrifice for every tackle and leave everything on the field. I aim to bring that contagious energy to every practice and game!

 

GD: Favorite Duke player you grew up liking to watch?

KK:  Michelle cooper

 

GD: Most excited for at Duke (soccer and not soccer)?

KK:  I am most excited to be supported and guided by our amazing coaching staff and upperclassmen that I know will help me grow so much. 

 

GD: What is a fun fact/skill/talent people may not know about you?

KK:  Fun Fact: I don’t like kimchi! 

 

GD: Who are your biggest inspirations on and off the pitch?

KK:  My biggest inspiration on the pitch are my Bay Area surf teammates who never fail to support me and always want the best for me. They’ve taught me how a passionate and intense environment can truly feel like home. Off the field, my biggest inspiration is my parents, who have always demonstrated that hard work leads to success and that giving your best effort means living without regrets.

GD: What is your proudest moment on the soccer field so far?

KK:  My proudest moment on the soccer field so far came during the final game of the season, which would decide the league champion. It had been a challenging season adjusting to a new team and environment. With the score tied 1-1 late in the second half, I managed to chase down the ball and score the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Bay Area Surf and clinching the league title.

 

GD: At what age did you start playing soccer?

KK:  I started playing at seven years old

 

GD: Did you play other sports growing up?

KK:  Track, tennis, swimming, skiing and snowboarding

 

GD: I know it is early, but do you have any idea yet what you think you might want to major in?

KK:  I am still working on discovering my major!

 

Quick Hitters:

Favorite Athlete?  Kevin De Bruyne 

Hobbies? Ceramics, snowboarding, running, thrifting 

Favorite TV Show? The Good Place and Gilmore Girls

Favorite Movie? Truman Show and Big Hero 6

Favorite Emoji? ??

Latest show you watched on television/Netflix? How I Met Your Mother

If you were to play another sport, what would it be? Beach Volleyball

Mountains or Beach? Beach

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream? Brownie Batter 

Any Pregame Rituals? None!

Bautista Samperi | Sports Director

Terri Del Conte will step down as head coach of the FIU beach volleyball team to focus on her family. 

After two seasons, the California native informed the team on Wednesday of her decision to leave the program.

As reported by the FIU Athletics Department, Del Conte said, “My experience at FIU made this decision very hard. I loved working with Scott [Carr, Athletics Director], Julie [Berg, Deputy AD], FIU staff and, above all, the team. I have had many goals since graduating college that I put a pin in, and one of those is building a family.”

“That is my main focus over the next couple of years, along with serving my hometown community in every way I can,” Del Conte said. “After the passing of my father, it has put into perspective the importance of family, and it’s time to make that more of a priority. Thank you, Panther family, for all the love expressed over these last two years, they have been memorable!”

During her time at FIU, Del Conte coached five student-athletes to All-Conference USA honors, including 2025 CUSA Freshman of the Year Brianna Luoma.

Two athletes, Giada Bianchi and Reka Orsi Toth, earned AVCA All-American honors during her time at FIU.

“We are very appreciative of Terri’s time here at FIU and her service in not only leading, but growing, our beach volleyball program to be one of the best in the country,” said Director of Athletics Scott Carr. “Although we hoped she would continue as our head coach, we understand and respect her decision and desire to prioritize family and wish her the best.”

A national search for her replacement is now underway, with Del Conte set to assist the program throughout the transition.

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“Whakatāne has the most qualified mayor in the world with Victor Luca,” he said.

He expressed disappointment in not seeing greater support for him on the council, particularly in his advocacy for more affordable rates.

“Affordability is vital, and we have to look to the future. There’s no reason Whakatāne District Council cannot create new revenue streams. The solar project that Mayor Victor was an advocate for is the perfect example.”

He said he was strongly in support of Luca’s proposal for a second river crossing.

“It’s critical infrastructure. Again, this is an area where councillors have dragged the chain. It’s a no-brainer, how important a second bridge is to Whakatāne for the safety of the residents.”

Though he had no plans to move home, Horan said it had always been his goal to return to Whakatāne one day.

“Whakatāne is a part of me. Apart from being born in Whakatāne, my children’s whenua is buried in Whakatāne.

“My love and responsibility and connection to Whakatāne is unbreakable.

“I’m there every second weekend anyway, particularly whenever the surf’s great.”

Horan said he had “no designs on being mayor”.

“But I do have strong designs to support our mayor to make Whakatāne a home for present and future generations.”

Horan attended St Joseph’s Catholic School and Whakatāne High School, and represented Whakatāne in sport during his youth, including in swimming, water polo and surf lifesaving.

He also represented New Zealand and Australia in water polo, was a New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Ironman champion and New Zealand outrigger canoe champion.

Horan went on to become a weather presenter for Television New Zealand between 2005 and 2007.

In 2008, he contested the East Coast electorate as a New Zealand First candidate. He became a New Zealand First list MP in 2011.

After being expelled from New Zealand First, he remained in Parliament as an independent. In 2014 he formed his own party, the NZ Independent Coalition, which failed to win any seats.

He later returned to study and earned a post-graduate degree in dispute resolution from the University of Waikato, and now does a variety of work.

“I help a lot of people if they have problems with different government departments. A lot of it, the work’s altruistic because by the time they get to me they’ve already exhausted every legal avenue.

Horan said he has helped people with immigration problems and also did cultural report writing for the courts.

“But a lot of that work has dried up thanks to this government.

“I also work with a travel operator taking targeted tours overseas. I’ve just come back from the United States. I get to travel a lot and keep an eye on what’s happening around the world.”

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

LUBBOCK, Texas (June 26, 2025) – Lubbock Christian University Athletics has announced a new strategic partnership with FanWord, one of the nation’s leading storytelling and technology companies in college athletics. The collaboration, which centers on FanWord’s content creation platform FanWord Assist, aims to strengthen the Chaparrals’ storytelling capabilities and amplify the voices of LCU student-athletes, coaches, and alumni.
 
With a proud championship tradition and a commitment to academic and athletic excellence, LCU Athletics continues to seek forward-thinking tools to enhance its digital presence. The integration of FanWord Assist into the department’s communication efforts will enable LCU to streamline content production and deliver more consistent, impactful written stories.
 
“There are countless impactful stories to share at LCU,” said Chris Due, LCU’s Associate Athletic Director for Communications. “We’re excited to partner with FanWord to help us highlight the journeys of our student-athletes and coaches in a creative and forward-thinking way.”
 
FanWord Assist, already trusted by more than 100 institutions across the country, helps athletic departments produce a wide variety of content including game recaps, athlete bios, feature stories, and news releases. The addition of the platform will increase LCU’s capacity for timely storytelling while enhancing brand engagement and audience connection.
 
“Partnering with Lubbock Christian University is a major highlight for us,” said Chris Aumueller, CEO of FanWord. “They have an incredible athletic tradition and a clear passion for telling meaningful stories. Our goal is to help them bring those stories to life more easily and effectively, and we couldn’t be more excited to support their journey.”
 
The partnership underscores LCU’s commitment to innovation in college athletics and aligns with the department’s broader mission to promote and celebrate the achievements of its community—both on and off the field.
 
To learn more about FanWord and its storytelling tools, visit FanWord.com.