World Volleyball Day

HOUSTON, TEXAS — A Houston-area native is inviting the world to come together on a single day for a simple but powerful purpose: helping children feel seen, valued, included, and supported.

Steven Lockhardt, a 1987 graduate of Santa Fe High School and founder of Block the Bully, has launched World Volleyball Day, a global movement designed to unite the volleyball community while raising awareness about the devastating effects of bullying.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly one in five U.S. students reports being bullied. UNESCO estimates that nearly one in three children worldwide experiences bullying. The consequences often extend far beyond the classroom, impacting confidence, mental health, academic performance, and a child's sense of belonging.

For Lockhardt, the mission is personal.

Growing up in Santa Fe, Texas, he experienced bullying firsthand. Volleyball became more than a sport—it became a source of confidence, friendship, purpose, and connection.

“Sports and volleyball changed my life,” said Lockhardt. “It gave me confidence when I needed it most. It gave me friendships and a place where I felt accepted. World Volleyball Day is about helping create that same feeling for others.”

World Volleyball Day serves as the annual global event supporting the mission of Block the Bully, much like Race for the Cure became the signature event supporting breast cancer awareness. Block the Bully is the cause. World Volleyball Day is the worldwide call to action.

On July 7, 2026, players, coaches, schools, churches, recreation departments, volleyball clubs, businesses, families, and communities around the world are invited to participate. Organizers hope to establish the largest single-day volleyball participation event ever organized while demonstrating the positive impact sports can have on young people.

With more than 800 million volleyball players and fans across more than 220 countries and territories, the sport provides a unique opportunity to unite people from different backgrounds, cultures, and communities around a common purpose.

Participation is intentionally simple. Hosts can display a printable QR code at their event, allowing participants to quickly scan and be included in the worldwide total. Individuals and organizations can play volleyball anywhere—on beaches, in gyms, parks, driveways, backyards, schools, churches, community centers, or volleyball clubs.

The long-term vision is to create an annual tradition that brings the global volleyball community together while supporting programs focused on confidence, inclusion, kindness, and bullying prevention.

“Every child deserves to feel like they belong,” said Lockhardt. “If the volleyball community can come together for one day and send that message to the world, we can make a meaningful difference.”

Community leaders, schools, churches, volleyball organizations, businesses, and families are encouraged to register as official hosts and help build momentum leading up to July 7, 2026.

To learn more, register an event, become an official host, or join the movement, visit www.worldvolleyballday.org.

ABOUT BLOCK THE BULLY AND WORLD VOLLEYBALL DAY

Block the Bully is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping end bullying through volleyball, storytelling, education, mentorship, and community engagement.

World Volleyball Day is an annual global celebration of volleyball held on July 7. The initiative seeks to unite volleyball players and fans worldwide while supporting the mission of Block The Bully and creating the largest coordinated day of volleyball participation ever organized.