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Tel Aviv, Israel – June 11, 2025 – The Yaaz Footvolley Tel Aviv–Jaffa League is back, igniting Frishman Beach with sun-soaked excitement, world-class talent, and a powerful sense of community.
Kicking off Saturday, June 28, and running every Saturday through August 16, Israel’s premier footvolley competition promises top-tier action, emotional tributes, and festive beach vibes.
Organized by the Association for the Advancement of Footvolley in Israel, in collaboration with the Tel Aviv–Jaffa Municipality and supported by Yaaz Real Estate and Development, the league will host Israel’s best first and second division players alongside international stars. All matches will be open to the public and broadcast nationally on Sport5.
Footvolley — a fusion of beach volleyball and soccer — originated on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s when footballers circumvented sand-play bans by using volleyball courts and everything but their hands.
Since reaching Israel in the early 2000s, the sport has rapidly grown into a national passion, culminating in the formation of a league in 2008 and continuous international engagement since 2011.
This summer’s tournament is expected to deliver intense competition. Reigning champions and three-time European gold medalists Ron Ben Yishai and Maor Haas — dubbed the “Blue and White” duo — will face stiff competition from elite Brazilian players such as Renan, Pablo, Dias, and Paulinho.
Rising Israeli stars Li “Lilush” Lieberman, Dean Shaked, and veteran Dudu Tubi are also set to bring the heat.
But beyond the battle for the national title — and the chance to represent Israel in international championships — this season carries emotional weight.
The 2025 league will honor the memory of footvolley players Dor Malka and Dorin Atias, both murdered during the October 7 Nova music festival massacre. Each event will also include calls for the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
“The sand teaches you patience, balance, and respect,” said Lieberman, who switched from football to footvolley six years ago and now mentors young athletes in underprivileged communities. “You can’t hide out here – the elements challenge you every day, and that’s what makes it beautiful.”
Frishman Beach will host weekly fan-friendly events, complete with music, surprises, a VIP area, and a buzzing beachside atmosphere.
Deputy Mayor Zipi Brand emphasized the city’s commitment to beach sports, noting the installation of dozens of public footvolley and volleyball nets across Tel Aviv’s coastline.
“We’re proud to turn the beaches of Tel Aviv–Jaffa into a hub for sports, community, and culture,” said Brand. “The footvolley league reflects our mission to make these spaces inclusive, vibrant, and full of life.”
The league’s title sponsor, Yaaz Real Estate and Development, has deep ties to the sport. CEO Tomer Reifman, a former national champion and early footvolley advocate, said supporting the league is about more than exposure.
“Footvolley is more than just a sport – it’s a community with real social value,” said Reifman.
With international flair, elite competition, and a beach culture that’s uniquely Tel Aviv, the Yaaz Footvolley League continues to grow as a summer spectacle — one where athleticism, unity, and remembrance meet on the sand.