AS Monaco Volleyball unveiled a new performance project for its women’s team ahead of the 2026-2027 season, showcasing ambitions to reach the highest levels of French volleyball and ultimately compete for titles in the years to come.
The project, developed alongside Swiss volleyball agency Sideline, was presented at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Monday 14th September, bringing together players, staff, partners, and representatives from various Monegasque institutions.
The project marks a tremendous change to the structure surrounding the women’s team. Last season, the team typically trained two times per week, with this schedule now increasing to ten training sessions per week as the club combines both amateur and professional players in a high-performance environment.
New Head Coach Filipe Lacerda reflected on the change, highlighting the importance of connection across the team. “I think this will be the secret, everyone connected. That’s the most difficult part of building a team. So, I think we are taking the right steps,” he said during the press conference.
A 2030 VISION FOR AS MONACO VOLLEYBALL
The 2030 vision for the project was outlined, with long-term objectives of competing for both national and international titles. In order to reach that point, the club seeks progression through the French volleyball pyramid to ultimately reach the professional level.
The partnership also brings support for the team off the court as AS Monaco seeks to develop the infrastructure needed to achieve its goals. Hyundai is providing vehicles to support players travelling between training sessions, while Pierre & Vacances is providing accommodation for players and coaches.
For Sideline, Monaco itself was a factor in determining its investment in the project. After considering other opportunities across Europe, the company saw greater potential in the Principality, with the international recognition attached to Monaco proving critical to the decision.
The new project builds on decades of volleyball in the Principality. Founded in the 1950s, AS Monaco Volleyball and Beach Volleyball now has more than 500 members, with 37 teams entered into competition and all youth categories represented.
NEW SQUAD TAKES SHAPE
The 2026-2027 squad was presented during the evening, bringing together existing amateur players with the new professional recruits. This combination will be critical to the club’s immediate sporting ambitions while also building a strong foundation.
For Camille Mistral, the difference is already being felt ahead of the season. “We went from two or three training sessions to two training sessions a day,” she said. “You can feel that everyone is really involved, whether it’s the coaches, the staff, or the players.”
Laura De Zwart also explained what attracted her to joining AS Monaco. “There is a lot of thought going into this project. I trusted that this would be a good step for me and that we will make a good season here and do our best for this project and for Monaco.”
With the new structure now in place, the upcoming season represents the beginning of a larger project, as AS Monaco Volleyball looks to turn its women’s programme into one capable of competing at the professional level.
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Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life