The origin of sitting volleyball stems from a game called Sitzball which was played prior to 1956. As this was a fairly passive game a more mobile form of the sport was sought.

In the fifties the Society of Dutch Military War Victims (BNMO) created a new game, a combination of Fistball and Volleyball. This was given the name of Sitting Volleyball.

After some changes in field size and net height the first competition match was held in 1957. Because the interest of the civilian population grew so rapidly, the BNMO decided in 1961 to end this sports group and  set up an independent organisation, the Dutch Sports Union for the Disabled (NIS).

Since then sitting volleyball has grown into one of the biggest sports practised in competition by the disabled within the NIS.

In 1980 sitting volleyball became an Olympic sport. The Dutch team won gold medals during these games, which were held in the Dutch city of Arnhem. This seemed a fitting reward for the country which developed the sport.

After the European Championship Games in Bonn in 1981 the first World Championship Games were held in Delden, Holland, in 1983.

The present day sitting volleyball is held in ever increasing interest, with many nations joining this relatively new sport. Australia joined in 1997, entering the World Championships in 1998.

Sitting Volleyball entered in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia finishing a very creditable 11th place. For our Australian team this was their first Paralympic Tournament.