The AVC Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship 2026 is currently in full swing in Haikou, the capital of south China’s Hainan Province.

On the evening of Sunday, July 12, members of Thailand's U18 boys' national volleyball team took advantage of a break in the tournament schedule to visit Huiwen Town, Wenchang City in northeastern Hainan and watch the ongoing 2026 "Jiujiu Cup" Hainan (Wenchang) Township Volleyball League—better known as Hainan's grassroots "Village Volleyball" tournament.

The young athletes experienced Hainan's distinctive nine-player volleyball format firsthand, soaking up the island's vibrant volleyball culture and the enthusiastic atmosphere of a community where the sport is embraced by people of all ages.

Thailand's U18 national volleyball team watches the Hainan "Village Volleyball" tournament in Huiwen Town, Wenchang City.

The AVC Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship, being held in Haikou for the first time, has brought together 16 of Asia's top youth teams competing for qualification to the 2027 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship.

While focused on intracontinental competition, the visit to Hainan's "Village Volleball" provided the Thai squad with a unique opportunity to unwind and gain insight into the island's rich volleyball traditions.

Unlike the internationally recognised six-a-side format, Hainan's traditional nine-a-side volleyball has been played for generations and is renowned for its fast-paced rallies, dynamic tactics and highly entertaining style. The distinctive format, combined with the electric atmosphere created by passionate local fans, left a strong impression on the visiting players.

Thailand captain Pariwat Toehem said it was his first time watching a nine-player volleyball match in person. In contrast to volleyball competitions in Thailand, which are played under the six-player format, he noted that the game in Hainan differs significantly in tactics and approaches to both attack and defence. He praised the tactical variety displayed in Hainan's nine-a-side game and said the team hopes to study some of its strategic concepts to broaden its own understanding of the sport.

Members of Thailand's U18 national volleyball team experience Hainan's vibrant "Village Volleyball" culture in Wenchang.

Player Nutthakorn Jeaukwon said Thailand also had nine-a-side volleyball, although he was too young to participate when they were held. He previously visited Wenchang in 2025 to take part in the Volleyball Carnival during the Hainan Wenchang Nanyang Cultural Festival, where he competed against and learned alongside local players. He recalled being impressed by both Wenchang's strong volleyball culture and its unique overseas Chinese heritage. Returning to Wenchang to experience the "Village Volleyball" tournament once again allowed him to further appreciate Hainan's deep-rooted passion for grassroots volleyball.