Let’s Keep The Ball Flying (LKTBF) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its groundbreaking 1% movement with the launch of the male counterpart led by Brazilian star Bruno Rezende. Joining him are nine esteemed volleyball athletes from around the world, including global stars like Wilfredo Leon, Yuki Ishikawa, and Robertlandy Simon. This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting equal access to volleyball on a global scale.
The 1% movement, initially spearheaded by women’s volleyball stars led by American opposite Jordan Thompson, has gained tremendous momentum since its launch in January. With the addition of the male athletes, the movement aims to further its impact by rallying support from athletes, staff members, clubs, sponsors, and fans worldwide.
As with the women’s division, each male athlete has committed to donating 1% of their yearly volleyball salary to support the cause. This collective effort will continue to break barriers and create opportunities, ensuring that volleyball serves as a catalyst for positive change in communities worldwide.
Bruno Rezende, the leader of the male division, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the movement, stating, “I am honored to be part of this initiative alongside my fellow athletes. Volleyball has the power to transform lives, and by coming together, we can make a real difference in promoting accessibility to the sport.”
In addition to the athlete-led efforts, LKTBF continues its work in developing a specialized volleyball toolkit aimed at providing free global access to knowledge, gear, equipment, and mentorship. This initiative is poised to further democratize the sport and make it accessible to individuals from all walks of life.
Lesley de Jonge, Founder of LKTBF, emphasized the importance of collective action in driving social impact, stating, “Our mission is to create as much impact as we can, and your participation is vital. Together, we can elevate communities and change lives through the power of volleyball. One percent at a time.”
The expansion of the 1% movement represents an exciting phase in LKTBF’s journey towards promoting equal access to volleyball and fostering positive change worldwide. To learn more about the movement and how you can get involved, visit www.lktbf.org/one.
In Their Own Words:
🇧🇷 Bruno Rezende
“As professional athletes, it is our responsibility to contribute to the growth and inspiration of our sport. We must actively work towards increasing access to volleyball in all communities across the globe.”
🇨🇺 Robertlandy Simon
“We must work towards improving the sporting conditions for children worldwide, as it has the potential to positively impact countless lives. By expanding this project and attracting more players, we can gradually make the world a better place.”
🇯🇵 Yuki Ishikawa
“Much like how volleyball has connected me with friends and teammates throughout my journey, I’m eager to extend that sense of camaraderie to children worldwide. Let’s build bridges through volleyball, uniting hearts and minds across borders.”
🇨🇦 Stephen Maar
“We all have the power to change something in our lives to make everybody else around us a little bit better and 1% Movement is a way that we can all do that together. So let’s have some fun and let’s do it as a team!”
🇦🇷 Luciano De Cecco
“I believe that volleyball has the potential to become even better with our collective support, making it not only more inclusive but also more enjoyable for all.”
🇳🇱 Robbert Andringa
“Let’s make it possible for everyone who desires to play this beautiful sport to have the opportunity. Volleyball not only provides the joy of playing but also fosters lifelong friendships within a team.”
🇹🇳 Wassim Ben Tara
“I chose to join this campaign because I was drawn to the project’s mission and the opportunity to help fulfill the dreams of children worldwide. Together, we can make a difference and turn their aspirations into reality.”
🇵🇱 Wilfredo Leon
“It’s a collective effort for all of us, not solely athletes, to unite as a global community and lend our support to initiatives like this. Our motivation lies not in personal gain but in the impact we can create. I strive to ignite hope in the eyes of young athletes, to empower children from underserved communities with love, and to offer them unwavering care and support.”
🇫🇷 Antoine Brizard
“I aim to leave a lasting legacy in this sport, beyond just showcasing my skills. My goal is to provide the opportunity for individuals less fortunate than myself to experience the joy of volleyball to the fullest.”
LKTBF 1% movement, let’s build bridges through volleyball, uniting hearts and minds across borders
First 10 Participants:
🇺🇸Jordan Thompson
🇩🇪Kimberly Drewniok
🇨🇦Kiera van Ryk
🇬🇷Anthi Vasilantonaki
🇳🇱Sarah van Aalen
🇮🇹Giovanni Guidetti
🇷🇸Tijana Boskovic
🇵🇱Magdalena Stysiak
🇧🇷Gabi Guimaraes
🇹🇷Zehra Gunes
About Let’s Keep The Ball Flying (LKTBF):
Let’s Keep The Ball Flying is a volleyball charity dedicated to making the sport accessible to all, irrespective of background or location. Through various initiatives, including the 1% movement, LKTBF strives to create positive change globally, using volleyball as a catalyst for empowerment and community building.
