Introduction – What is Classification?

Classification enables athletes with impairments to participate in competitive Para sport with a pathway to sporting excellence.  It is a system or framework used in Para sport to decide who is eligible to compete, and to group athletes into classes based on the extent to which their impairment impacts their ability to execute specific tasks in ParaVolley.  It is similar to how some sports divide athletes by weight or age classes for fair competition, so that the outcome  is determined by sporting excellence such as skills, training, tactical strategy, and mental preparation, not by the degree of impairment. Classification is therefore essential to the Paralympic Movement as Para sport cannot exist without Classification.

The IPC describes seven different impairment types that are eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games.  Out of these, World ParaVolley has determined that athletes with the following four impairment types can compete in ParaVolley sport:

  • Impaired muscle power – e.g. following nerve injury;
  • Impaired passive range of movement of a joint;
  • Limb deficiency – e.g. congenital malformation or acquired amputations of upper or lower limbs, limb length differences; and
  • Coordination Impairments – e.g. Cerebral palsy causing hypertonia, brain injury with resultant ataxia

While the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) oversees Classification globally and ensures harmonization of classification processes across the Paralympic sports, each Para sport is responsible to write and implement its own set of Classification rules.

Athlete Evaluation by trained and certified World ParaVolley Classifiers forms the basis of the classification evaluation and is supported by functional testing as well as observation during Covered competitions.

Further general and specific information about Classification can be found below:

World ParaVolley Resources:

International Paralympic Committee Resources:

The Classification Journey – Information for Athletes, Coaches & Support Personnel

One of the first steps in the ParaVolley Athlete sport journey is to attend Classification.   This process determines if an Athlete impairment allows that Athlete to be eligible to play this sport and what sport class they will play in.

Whether it is for Sitting Volleyball or Beach ParaVolley (standing), all Athletes undergo evaluation in four sequential stages as outlined in the chart below.  Classifiers/Assessors are tasked to answer the questions at each stage of Classification.  The first stage is to determine if the Athlete has a permanent eligible impairment and a verifiable Underlying Health condition (UHC) leading to that permanent eligible impairment.  This consists of a documentation review to answer Q1 and is completed well before Competition.

 The Four Stages of Classification

Underlying Health Condition Assessment Stage 1 Q1: Does the Athlete have a Health Condition (UHC) i.e. medical diagnosis, that could lead to an Eligible Impairment (EI)?

Athletes must submit written evidence that confirms they have a verifiable health condition that results in a permanent Eligible impairment.

Written submissions must include a WPV Classification Application (WPV Medical Diagnostic Form) available in the Resources section below. The form needs to be completed by a registered medical doctor and accompanied by supporting medical documentation that supports the medical information in the Form.  All information must be provided in English or be accompanied by an English translation.  Examples of the type of medical evidence that is acceptable can be found in the WPV Guideline for UHC Supporting Medical Evidence and assistance to complete the form is available in the WPV Medical Diagnostic Form Completion Guide, both of which can also be found in the Resources section below.

All forms and supporting medical documentation must be uploaded into the ParaVolley Sport Administration System (PVSAS) well in advance of a competition or in-person classification opportunity- and available for review by the Chief Classifier a minimum of 3 months prior to the competition the Athlete wishes to participate in.  For assistance to register Athletes and upload information into PVSAS, the WPV Data Manager can be contacted at datamanager@worldparavolley.org

The face-to-face classification evaluation session to complete Stages 2-4 is carried out by a panel of 2 Classifiers from different countries prior to an Athlete’s first international competition. The assessment is conducted in English, and Athletes who do not speak English fluently are required to bring an interpreter to ensure good communication throughout the evaluation.

Evaluation Session Stage 2 Q2: Does the Athlete have an Underlying health Condition that does lead to an Eligible Impairment?

An assessment conducted in person by a panel of classifiers to verify the presence of the Eligible Impairment and link the impairment findings to the documented health condition. 
Stage 3 Q3: Does the Athlete meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) for the Eligible Impairment? (as determined by WPV)

A series of tests are performed to measure the degree of the specific impairment type(s).  For example, if the impairment type is impaired muscle power, a series of manual muscle strength tests would be performed on the involved limb(s) to measure the extent of the muscle power loss in the affected muscles.  The degree of muscle power loss in the muscle groups affected must meet the Minimum impairment criteria as set by World ParaVolley.  The criteria is set out for each impairment type and sub-types in the World ParaVolley Classification rules.

If an Athlete’s impairment meets MIC, the Athlete can go onto the next stage of classification and be allocated one of the two sport classes in Sitting Volleyball or three sport classes in Beach ParaVolley (standing).  If the impairment does not meet MIC for either Sitting Volleyball or Beach ParaVolley, the Athlete cannot participate in ParaVolleyball (Note: a finding of Not Eligible (NE) must be confirmed by two independent panels of classifiers). 
Stage 4 Q4: What Sport Class and Sport Class Status should be allocated to the Athlete?

Sport class can be allocated following an evaluation of the extent to which the Athlete’s impairment impacts their ability to execute the tasks and activities fundamental to Sitting Volleyball or Beach ParaVolley standing (a sport specific assessment).  Functional sport-specific activities are examined (in a non-competitive environment) to validate the consistency of sport-specific abilities with the physical assessment.

There are two sport classes in Sitting Volleyball (VS1 and VS2, with Athletes in the VS2 class having impairments with a lesser degree of impact on Sitting Volleyball activities).

There are three sport classes in Standing Volleyball (A, B, and C, with athletes in Class A having impairments with a lesser degree of impact on Beach ParaVolley (standing) activities). 
Is an Observation Assessment (OA) during competitive match play required? (in Competition only)

In some cases, classification requires the Athlete to be observed during competition.  Observation Assessment is done during the preliminary rounds of the competition to confirm that an Athlete’s match play abilities align with the results from the physical and functional assessment, and to verify the athlete’s consistency during real match situations.

Observation assessment must take place during the preliminary rounds of competition, otherwise a final sport class cannot be allocated, and the Athlete is given a designation of Classification not Completed (CNC).

A CNC designation can happen for different reasons, but essentially it means the classification process has been suspended or cannot be completed.  CNC is not a valid sport class for competition and therefore an Athlete with CNC is not allowed to compete until such time as the reason for CNC has been ascertained and a further classification session has occurred.

Sport Class Status:

A sport class Status determines whether further classification is required at future events or whether special conditions are attached to the sport class.  Sport class Status NEW (N) is allocated to all Athletes who have not previously attended classification.

Sport class status REVIEW (R) is allocated after the sport class has been determined if the panel believes further evaluation sessions will be required in the future. This may be because the Athlete has only recently started competing, the Athlete has not yet reached full skeletal maturity, or the Athlete has a progressive or fluctuating health condition. Athletes may also be designated with R status if there are changes to the Classification sport class criteria or assessment procedures that may impact the current sport class of the Athlete.  REVIEW status athletes will either be designated as REVIEW – Next Available Opportunity (R-NAO), indicating the Athlete will need to be seen at the next available opportunity, or REVIEW – Fixed Review Date (FRD), meaning an Athlete will need to be seen again, but not before a specifically determined date.

An Athlete with Confirmed (C) Sport class Status is not required to undergo further classification evaluation except in the case of protests or medical reviews.

Roles & Responsibilities of Athletes & Support Personnel

  • To be knowledgeable of and comply with the World ParaVolley Classification rules & processes;
  • To Participate in good faith with the World ParaVolley Classification processes and/or related procedures;
  • To Provide (through their National Federation) adequate, accurate, and relevant Diagnostic Information to World ParaVolley to be able to fully assess the health condition and Eligible impairment;
  • Athletes are responsible to give their best efforts during an Evaluation Session; and
  • Attend the Evaluation Session with sports attire that facilitates the physical evaluation, and with any Adaptive Equipment permitted under World ParaVolley’s Rules that they intend to use on court (i.e. be “game ready”).

World ParaVolley Covered Competitions

The World ParaVolley Classification rules apply to all the following competitions within World ParaVolley for the Sitting Volleyball and Beach Paravolley (standing) disciplines, termed a ” Covered Competition” – e.g. the Paralympic Games, the World Championships, all competitions that are part of the direct pathway to participate in the Paralympic Games, and any other competition at the discretion of World ParaVolley, where meaningful Observation Assessment can take place as part of the classification process. For example, “other” Covered Competitions will include the World Cup, the World Super Six, and the Beach ParaVolley (Standing) World Cup.

For clarification, the Paralympic Games are considered a Covered Competition because all athletes attending have been evaluated at a Covered Competition and have sport class statuses that do not require further classification before the Games, and the classification rules apply in all aspects with respect to Athletes attending the Games, even though the Games have a zero-classification policy and no classification evaluation takes place at the Games.

For 2027, Covered Competitions (as of Sept 2026) include:

SITTING VOLLEYBALL

  • ParaVolley Europe “A” Sitting Volleyball Championships (GER) August 22-28, 2027
  • Parapan American Games (PER) August 22-29, 2027
  • ParaVolley Africa Zonal Championships – (RSA) Sept 7-12, 2027
  • ParaVolley Asia-Oceania Zonal Championships – TBD

BEACH PARAVOLLEY (STANDING)

  • WPV Beach Championships – (USA) May 3-10, 2027

The World ParaVolley International Classification Master List – What is it?

World ParaVolley maintains a Classification Master List of Athletes that identifies Athletes that are eligible to enter International Competitions.
World ParaVolley International Classification Master List – Sept 14, 2026 (PDF link)

Adaptive/Protective Equipment Approval Requests

Athletes who use any adaptive/protective equipment on court (prosthesis, functional orthoses, protective braces, or other equipment) must submit a request to use Adaptive/Protective Equipment on court, which will then be inspected and approved. To do this, please complete the Adaptive/Protective Equipment Approval Request form.  Log in to your PVSAS account and follow the instructions to complete the required information in the system and upload the form and the mandatory 3 photos of the equipment.

Full instructions can be found here:

PVSAS Equipment Approval Request Completion Guide

Classification Protests

Rules concerning Protests made in respect of an Athlete’s Sport Class can be found on page 45 of the World ParaVolley Classification Rules document, and the Protest Form can be accessed here:

World ParaVolley Classification Protest Form (PDF)

Classification Appeals

Classification Appeals for World ParaVolley are managed by the IPC Board of Appeal for Classification (BAC).  More information about the BAC can be found here. Specific Appeal procedures soon to be posted on website.

Medical Review Requests (MRR)

Athletes with a Confirmed or Review Status may request a medical review if they have a change in the nature or degree of impairment.

This must be either through:

a) a medical intervention which may change (lessen or increase) the impairment (for example, strength, hypertonia, or ROM). Examples of such interventions may include (but are not limited to):

      • Botulinum toxin injection
      • Tendon release surgeries
      • Change of amputation level;

or

b) a verifiable deterioration or progression of an existing health condition to the extent that the Athlete no longer fits their current sport class profile;

or

c) the development of a new verifiable health condition that has resulted in a permanent change to the degree of impairment such that the Athlete most likely does not fit in their current sport class profile any longer.

The means by which this can take place is referred to as a “Medical Review”.

The Medical Review Request form must be submitted by the Athlete’s NPC/NF into PVSAS along with supporting evidence and received by the Team Leader of the Classification Commission.  A non-refundable fee of 100 EUR is paid to World ParaVolley to administer and initiate the Medical Review.

Failure to disclose these or other interventions that improve the impairment may lead to investigation of Intentional Misrepresentation (IM) under the World ParaVolley IM Rules.

Each Medical Review Request will be assessed by a medical review panel.  Should the panel believe the athlete’s impairment is no longer consistent with the Athlete’s Sport Class, the athlete will be given the sport class status “Review – Next Available Opportunity (R-NAO)” and will be required to undergo classification at his/her next available opportunity.

How do I make a Medical Review Request?

Note: A completed MRR must be submitted a minimum of three months before the next competition in which the Athlete intends to compete.

  1. Complete the Medical Review Request (MRR) form, available from the World ParaVolley Classification Page (click on link found below).
  2. Fill out the form including all required signatures and save the file as PDF (max. 5 MB).
  3. Ensure that you have all required supporting medical documentation available as a separate PDF as well (max. 5 MB).
  4. Log into PVSAS, select the sport, and enter the PVSAS ID of the Athlete.
  5. Click on the “med review” tab at the top and then on “Add a new Medical Review Request”. Browse for the PDF documents on your computer to upload the MRR form and the MRR support medical documentation.
  6. Notify World ParaVolley by emailing the Team Leader of Classification at classification@worldparavolley.org to advise that you have submitted a MRR on behalf of your Athlete.
  7. Each MRR is associated with a non-refundable fee of 100 EUR. World ParaVolley will issue an invoice to the responsible Member Federation.
  8. Upon confirmation of payment, World ParaVolley will review the request.
    1. If the provided documents are insufficient, the status will change to ‘Incomplete Documentation’, and you will see feedback on what exactly is missing. You can upload a new MRR form and/or MRR support documentation.  Once the respective document(s) are replaced or uploaded, status will change back to ‘Pending’ for WPV to review.
    2. When the review process is concluded, the MRR status will be set either to ‘Approved’ or ‘Rejected’. If approved, the Athlete’s current classification Status will change to ‘R-NAO’ (Review – Next Available Opportunity).

World ParaVolley Medical Review Request Form (editable PDF)

Intentional Misrepresentation

What is Intentional Misrepresentation?

Classification is fundamental to Para sport. Athletes, teams and everyone involved in the Classification process must act honestly and cooperate fully with World ParaVolley and its Classification Personnel.

Intentional Misrepresentation occurs where a person deliberately misleads, or attempts to mislead, World ParaVolley or its representatives about any aspect of Classification. It also includes intentionally helping, encouraging or assisting someone else to do so, or deliberately concealing such conduct.

To protect the integrity of classification, World ParaVolley has adopted its Intentional Misrepresentation Rules 2026 in accordance with the IPC Classification Code 2025 and the International Standard for Intentional Misrepresentation 2025.

What sort of conduct can amount to Intentional Misrepresentation?

Intentional Misrepresentation can take many forms. It is not limited to what happens during an athlete’s Classification Evaluation Session and can occur before, during or after Classification.

Examples include:

  • providing false or forged medical information or documentation;
  • deliberately underperforming during an Evaluation Session;
  • deliberately tiring an athlete before Classification in order to affect their performance;
  • deliberately failing to disclose relevant medication, medical devices, implants, procedures, sports equipment or adaptive equipment;
  • deliberately misrepresenting an athlete’s impairment, abilities or level of function;
  • deliberately withholding relevant information about previous Classification or a change in an athlete’s impairment;
  • arranging for another person to attend Classification in an athlete’s place; or
  • deliberately disrupting or failing to cooperate with Classification in order to mislead the Classification Panel.

The Rules also apply to complicity. A person may therefore commit Intentional Misrepresentation by instructing, encouraging, assisting or conspiring with someone else to misrepresent an athlete’s circumstances, or by deliberately concealing Intentional Misrepresentation after becoming aware of it.

Who do the Rules apply to?

The Rules do not apply only to athletes. They apply to Participants, which includes athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, team staff and officials, medical and paramedical personnel, parents and other Athlete Support Persons, National Federation representatives, and others under World ParaVolley’s jurisdiction who participate in Classification.

Everyone involved in Classification should therefore understand that they have an individual responsibility to act honestly and must not assist or encourage another person to manipulate the Classification process.

Reporting concerns

Participants and National Federations have a responsibility to report information which might indicate that Intentional Misrepresentation has occurred or is being planned. Reports should be made promptly, truthfully, completely and in good faith.

Participants and National Federations must also cooperate fully with any World ParaVolley or IPC investigation and must not obstruct, delay or interfere with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding.

World ParaVolley recognises that a genuine concern reported in good faith may ultimately prove to be mistaken. No Participant or National Federation will be prejudiced for providing information in good faith that subsequently proves to be incorrect. Deliberately or recklessly providing false or misleading allegations or evidence, however, may itself constitute a disciplinary offence.

How can I report my concerns?

World ParaVolley is the body that manages concerns regarding potential  international Intentional Misrepresentation for Athletes involved in international-level classification and competition.

You can report via:

What happens if Intentional Misrepresentation is suspected?

Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect Intentional Misrepresentation, World ParaVolley will investigate. Investigations must be conducted fairly, objectively and impartially, and World ParaVolley will consider evidence both for and against there being a case to answer. Except in exceptional circumstances, the person concerned will be informed of the investigation and given an opportunity to provide a written submission.

If disciplinary proceedings are brought, World ParaVolley must prove Intentional Misrepresentation on the balance of probabilities. A Participant who disputes a charge has the right to have the matter determined by the independent World ParaVolley Intentional Misrepresentation Panel.

Intentional Misrepresentation has serious consequences.

Intentional Misrepresentation is a serious integrity offence.

The starting point is a four-year period of ineligibility. Depending upon the seriousness of the conduct and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances, this may be increased up to lifetime ineligibility, or reduced, although ordinarily not below 12 months. Repeat violations attract still more serious consequences.

During a period of ineligibility, a Participant is generally prohibited from participating in Classification and from participating in any capacity in World ParaVolley, member federation and other specified Para sport competitions, events, programmes and activities.

A final finding of Intentional Misrepresentation will also normally be publicly disclosed, including the Participant’s identity, the nature of the violation and the consequences imposed. The Participant’s Intentional Misrepresentation designation and period of ineligibility will also be recorded on the World ParaVolley Classification Master List.

If you are unsure — ASK!

Athletes and Athlete Support Persons should ensure that information provided for Classification is complete, accurate and honest. If you are uncertain whether particular medical, functional, equipment or Classification-related information needs to be disclosed, you should ask World ParaVolley or the Classification Panel rather than deliberately withholding information.

Similarly, if you become aware of conduct that you reasonably believe may involve Intentional Misrepresentation, you should report the concern to World ParaVolley in good faith.

Read the full World ParaVolley Intentional Misrepresentation Rules 2026 for the complete rules, procedures and sanctions:

World ParaVolley Intentional Misrepresentation Rules 2026 (PDF)

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A CLASSIFIER or HOST A CLASSIFICATION COURSE?

As a professional International Sports Federation, World ParaVolley has an ongoing responsibility to educate and train International Classifiers that are capable of delivering high quality classification services for ParaVolley athletes.

World ParaVolley has devised an education and training pathway for National and International Classifiers that provides them with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to deliver classification evaluation at the highest possible standard.  World ParaVolley places a high priority on developing its human resources in order to provide the necessary services for the conduct of classification now and into the future.

Becoming a Classifier

World ParaVolley Classification Certification Pathway (.pdf)

Expression of Interest to become a Level 1 World ParaVolley Classifier (.doc)
Expression of Interest to become a Level 2 World ParaVolley Classifier (.doc)

Hosting A Classifier Course

For information on how to host a Classification Course, click HERE.

Questions about classification?

Please contact the World ParaVolley Head of Classification, your Zonal Head of Classification or National Classifier to get more information:

WPV Team Leader Classification – Dora Szatmari – classification@worldparavolley.org

Zonal Classifier Contacts:

CLASSIFICATION RESOURCES

1. Forms, Guidelines & Policies

WPV Classification Application Form (Medical Diagnostic Form) (EDITABLE PDF )

WPV Medical Diagnostics Form Completion Guide (PDF)

WPV Guideline for UHC Supporting Medical Evidence (PDF)

WPV Athlete Evaluation Agreement Form 2026 (PDF)

WPV Adaptive/Protective Equipment Approval Request form (PDF)

PVSAS Equipment Approval Request Completion Guide (PDF)

WPV Adaptive/Protective Equipment Approval Policy (PDF)

WPV Athlete Classification Protest Form 2026 (PDF)

WPV Medical Review Request Form 2026 (PDF)

WPV Classification Privacy Notice (PDF)

2. Classification education resources

IPC Classification Fundamentals Lessons (LINK)

Classification – International Paralympic Committee (LINK)

International Paralympic Committee Classification Code (LINK)

3. Other relevant links:

Rules of the Game – Sitting Volleyball

Rules of the Game – Beach ParaVolley