Boston, Aug. 3, 2026, — In the sweltering heat of August, the passion for sports in the Greater Boston area was ablaze. The 2nd Boston Mini 9-man Volleyball Invitational—co-sponsored by the City of Everett, Massachusetts, and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) of New England—concluded successfully on August 2 at Everett’s Rivergreen Park. The tournament drew over twenty elite teams and hundreds of skilled players from Greater Boston and East Coast, marking it as one of the largest and most high-profile sporting events in the local Chinese community this summer.
After two days of fierce competition, the formidable “Rising Tide” team once again claimed the men’s division championship, thanks to their outstanding teamwork and powerful spiking. Felix Lui, President, and Hung Goon, English Secretary of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England, stated that this tournament is a superb embodiment of the Chinese community’s fine traditions and sporting spirit. They expressed their deepest gratitude to mayor Robert Van Campen and other political leaders and various sectors of the community for their full support, and warmly encouraged more volleyball enthusiasts in the Greater Boston area to actively participate in the sport in the future.
Several prominent Massachusetts political figures attended the event to watch the matches and present awards to the winning teams, adding a significant level of political interest and warmth to the occasion. In his remarks, Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico expressed his deep affection for and support of the Chinese community. Representing the City of Everett, he extended warm congratulations to all participating teams and offered special thanks to the sponsors for their tremendous support. Senator DiDomenico also expressed his gratitude to the CCBA for its long-standing role as a cornerstone in uniting the Chinese community and advancing its well-being.
City Councilor Calvin Brown from the neighboring city of Chelsea also attended the event, enthusiastically interacting with players and spectators from the stands. In his speech, Councilor Brown noted that he had watched the thrilling matches from start to finish and was deeply moved by the electric atmosphere and the players’ superb skills. He emphasized the great significance of hosting such a large-scale, inter-city tournament and expressed his sincere appreciation to the organizers and sponsors for their hard work and dedication.
The tournament took place during the sweltering heat of midsummer; over the two days of competition, temperatures soared past 90 degrees Fahrenheit (over 34 degrees Celsius). Under the scorching sun, the surface temperature of the outdoor courts was extremely high, posing a grueling test of the players’ physical stamina and willpower.
On the court, hundreds of players sweated profusely, fighting valiantly with every serve, save, block, and spike. Their dynamic saves and fierce net-side spikes drew thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers from community residents and family members watching from the sidelines, creating waves of excitement that grew ever more intense.
The following are the winners of each division.
Women’s Gold – Boston Hurricanes
Women’s Silver – New York Horizon Comet
Women’s Juniors – Boston Lady Knights Red
Men’s AA – Boston Rising Tide
Men’s A – Boston Hurricanes Men’s Green
A Century-Old Tradition with Deep Roots
9-man volleyball holds a long and unique place in the history of the Chinese community. The sport originated in the early 20th century in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong (specifically the Taishan and Kaiping areas), Hong Kong, and overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Characterized by large teams, diverse tactics, and intense, highly entertaining transitions between offense and defense, 9-man volleyball rapidly gained popularity in the villages and towns of Guangdong. It eventually evolved into a unique sporting symbol within Chinese culture.
In the mid-20th century, amidst a new wave of immigration, Chinese people from Guangdong and Hong Kong brought this sport—deeply intertwined with memories of their homeland—to North America. In the Greater Boston area, the history of 9-man volleyball can be clearly traced back to the 1970s and 1980s.
At that time, many new Chinese immigrants settled in Boston’s Chinatown and its surrounding neighborhoods. Amidst the demands of hard work and daily life, playing volleyball became a vital outlet for physical and mental relaxation, a way to soothe homesickness, and a means to strengthen bonds within the community. Makeshift courts—marked with temporary white lines on crowded basketball courts, open spaces outside community halls, or even nearby school playgrounds—became the spirited arenas where the older generation of immigrants played their passionate matches.
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