Grand finals of light volleyball competition for older adults held at EdUHK on 26 and 27 July

As a community sport, LVB emphasises engagement over competition. It provides opportunities for older adults to participate in physical activities and socialise.

LVB is played on a smaller court with a lower net and a bigger, lighter ball. Alongside the fact that the sport is easy to learn, it is also a sport suitable for the elderly.

LVB players from opposing teams shake hands as a gesture of sportsmanship after the match, like those in regular volleyball games.

Dr Carman Leung Ka-man and her research team from the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) have been staunch proponents of active ageing. To this end, the team has not only conducted research that sheds new light on the benefits of Light Volleyball (LVB) for the well-being of older adults, but it has also arranged numerous LVB activities for senior players to keep them physically active. On 26 and 27 July, Dr Leung’s team, along with other related organisations, co-organised the Grand Finals of the Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults at the EdUHK Tai Po campus. Fifteen teams from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Nanchang competed in the fun-packed two-day event.

The two-day competition is part of the research project titled “Promoting Healthy Ageing Through Light Volleyball Promotion in Hong Kong and Mainland China,” carried out by Dr Leung’s team. With funding of more than HK$7.0 million from the Research Impact Fund (RIF), the project aims to promote healthy ageing through participation in Light Volleyball in Hong Kong and mainland China. Conducted from 2019 to 2024, the project not only includes research on older adults’ engagement in LVB, but also organises an array of training programmes, experiential classes, and promotional matches in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

“The project involved conducting a large-scale intervention study on the health benefits of playing light volleyball for older adults. Apart from the study, the project also trained 310 light volleyball coaches for older adults and organised over 85 light volleyball classes for older adults, benefiting approximately 3,500 older adults. To promote LVB, matches were organised in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Nanchang. More than 500 older adults participated in the competitions held in these three cities, including the grand finals event held at EdUHK on 26 and 27 July,” Dr Leung said.

Representatives from Sports Association for Older Adults in Hong Kong, China (SAOAHK), present awards to Team Nanchang LVB Association (南昌市氣排協會隊), the winner of the grand finals, Team “Puzhen Yuan of Shenzhen (深圳璞真園隊)”, the first runner-up, and Team “Crape Myrtle of Shenzhen (深圳市紫薇隊)”, the second runner-up. The three winning teams pose for photos with EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, fourth from left, Dr Carman Leung, centre, and Mr Nicholas Chan, fourth from right. Both Dr Leung and Mr Chan are SAOAHK founders.

A total of fifteen teams from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Nanchang, who excelled in local competitions, faced the final challenges of the grand finals held on 26 and 27 July. After a series of fierce matches, the team representing the Nanchang LVB Association (南昌市氣排協會隊) won the championship title, while the first and second runners-up were Team “Puzhen Yuan of Shenzhen (深圳璞真園隊)” and Team “Crape Myrtle of Shenzhen (深圳市紫薇隊)”.

The two-day grand finals at EdUHK were co-organised by the Hong Kong Light Volleyball Association, the Elderly Sports Association Shenzhen, the Nanchang Light Volleyball Association, and the newly founded Sports Association for Older Adults in Hong Kong, China (SAOAHK), with the support from Dr Leung and her research team at HPE. The SAOAHK’s founding ceremony was held on 27 July to coincide with the grand finals.

EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Dr Leung, and Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung, two founding members of SAOAHK, presented the prizes to the three winning teams. Mr Chan is a Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress. Other Board Members of SAOAHK include Dr Lam Ching-choi, an Executive Council member, and Dr Lobo Louie Hung-tak, Senior Lecturer of HPE.

Mr Chui Wai-keung from Hong Kong says he has lost nearly 10kg since he started playing LVB two years ago.

Mr Bi Zhenmao from Shenzhen says stretching exercises during warm-up and physical movements during matches help reduce symptoms of frozen shoulder.

Mr Chui Wai-keung (崔偉強), 62, is a member of Yuen Long Team One. Although his team did not win in the finals, Mr Chui still found great satisfaction in the two-day event. “I have lost nearly 10kg since I started playing LVB two years ago. With a lower net, smaller court and larger ball that stays in the air longer, LVB is especially suitable for the elderly and small children. LVB is a team sport. When my team has a match, all members need to participate in pre-match preparation. This provides an extra sense of accountability and motivation for me to exercise and stay physically fit,” he said.

Mr Bi Zhenmao (閉振茂), 63, and his teammates are from Shenzhen. Mr Bi is a retired English teacher who used to play basketball and badminton when he was younger. However, his advanced age makes him less suited for these demanding sports. “Playing LVB requires you to move your neck and stretch your shoulder muscles. I find LVB is good for alleviating frozen shoulder. When playing LVB, teammates encourage each other, which strengthens our connections. It is a game that keeps me physically and mentally healthy,” Mr Bi said.

Ms Zhou Meifang from Nanchang says participating in LVB creates shared experiences among players, which helps build stronger connections.

Ms Luo Bingbing says LVB helps uprooted elderly players in Shenzhen to form a close-knit community where they can share happiness and worries, supporting each other.

Ms Zhou Meifang (周美芳), 63, is a retired PE teacher at Jiangxi Normal University in Nanchang. She thanked Dr Leung for bringing the sport to her city. “Since the first LVB competition held in Nanchang in March this year, LVB has become a popular sport in Nanchang,” said Ms Zhou. The former sprinter added that she enjoys playing LVB because the game is safe and fun. “Because the ball is light, you won’t get hurt even if you are hit by it. The rules of LVB are not as rigid as regular volleyball. Although we still feel the excitement of competition, players focus more on having fun than winning. We get together for a meal every time after training and matches, allowing me to meet many new friends from other teams in Nanchang,” Ms Zhou said.

Ms Luo Bingbing (羅冰冰), the Deputy Secretary-General of the Special Committee on Light Volleyball of the Elderly Sports Association of Shenzhen, is a key figure in promoting LVB in Shenzhen. She noted that LVB has a strong appeal for the elderly in her city. “Many elderly people have relocated to Shenzhen because their children moved there for work. Having left their familiar environments, they feel uprooted. In Shenzhen, LVB has created a close-knit community for elderly individuals facing similar situations. Elderly players share happiness and worries, understanding and supporting each other. LVB has brought them together,” Ms Luo remarked.

Ms Zhou and Ms Luo expressed gratitude to Dr Leung for her support throughout the promotional efforts in Nanchang and Shenzhen. After attending the two-day event at EdUHK, Ms Zhou observed a high spirit among Hong Kong elderly LVB players: “While Jiangxi Normal University has good facilities for LVB, the organisers successfully created an exciting atmosphere throughout the grand finals at EdUHK.” Ms Luo praised EdUHK as an excellent partner for promoting LVB. “Dr Leung has always supported us. She has visited us many times to understand our situations and challenges, offering us valuable advice on promoting the sport,” Ms Luo said.

Dr Carman Leung learns from elderly LVB players that they find great enjoyment in the sport due to its competitive element and social interactions. She hopes that LVB activities can reach out to even more senior citizens and help improve their quality of life.

Dr Leung is delighted to witness the success of the grand finals and other pre-final competitions. With an unwavering passion for promoting LVB, she and her team will continue to hold training classes and international competitions for older adults in 2025. “Unlike regular competitive volleyball matches, LVB activities for older adults focus on participation rather than competition. Many senior citizens have told me that they find great enjoyment in the sport due to the competitive element and social interactions. While ageing is an inevitable trend in Hong Kong and the mainland, I hope modified sports like LVB can enhance the quality of life for the elderly population in long run,” Dr Leung said with a beaming smile.