On February 9, 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts (USA), William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director, created a new game called Mintonetteas a pastime to be played preferably indoors and by any number of players. The game took some of its characteristics from tennis and handball. Another indoor sport, basketball, was catching on in the area, having been invented just ten miles (sixteen kilometers) away in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, only four years before. Mintonette was designed to be an indoor sport less rough than basketball for older members of the YMCA, while still requiring a bit of athletic effort.

The first rules, written down by William G Morgan, called for a net 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) high, a 25×50 ft (7.6×15.2 m) court, and any number of players. A match was composed of nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning, and no limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the opponents’ court. In case of a serving error, a second try was allowed. Hitting the ball into the net was considered a foul (with loss of the point or a side-out)—except in the case of the first-try serve.

After an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfield College), the game quickly became known as volleyball (it was originally spelled as two words: "volley ball"). Volleyball rules were slightly modified by the International YMCA Training School and the game spread around the country to various YMCAs.

HISTORY OF MALAYSIA VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION

MAVA has an impressive 40-year history and track record in organising championships and events, both local and international.

The former President of MAVA, YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting explains:

“MAVA started the ambitious Semi-Pro League as a serious step towards promoting the sport and also the level of professionalism in the game” and promised that “MAVA will continue to be proactive in organising and hosting more national and international events in order to make volleyball a favourite sport amongst all Malaysians, bringing it to every nook and corner of the country”.

Established in 1959, and affiliated to the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), MAVA to date has full affiliation of 17 Affiliates members from 13 States, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan plus the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Polis DiRaja Malaysia.

The most recent world event successfully organised by MAVA is the 1999 World Women's Grand Prix held in Genting Highlands on August 1999. In 1993, MAVA hosted the first prestigious WOMEN’S WORLD GRAND PRIX with a record packed Stadium Negara. In 1995, MAVA hosted the 8th Men's World Junior Championships in Johor Bahru with a record packed stadium. Two years later in 1997, MAVA presented the two of the world most formidable women’s teams - China & Cuba. Another record with full packed stadium was broken.