New coach for China women's volleyball team

The Chinese Volleyball Association today announced the appointment of Zhao Yong as the new head coach of the China women's national volleyball team, along with the latest training squad.

The 49-year-old will take over from Cai Bin and lead the team into a new phase of preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

With more than two decades of coaching experience, Zhao has previously led the Liaoning youth women's team to a silver medal at the National Games and has developed several players who went on to become national team regulars.

In recent years, he has guided Chinese squads to notable success on the international stage, including the Chengdu Universiade, the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, and the FIVB U17 World Championship.

According to an announcement by the volleyball administrative center of the General Administration of Sport, the head coach selection process adhered to principles of openness and fairness. Expert opinions were widely solicited from industry veterans and frontline coaches. Among more than ten candidates, Zhao emerged as the leading recommendation.

Lai Yawen, director of the volleyball center, said that during the National Games qualifiers, the center conducted one-on-one consultations with senior figures in the volleyball community and head coaches of provincial teams. The majority of them recommended Zhao for the role.

"He is a dedicated and energetic coach capable of carrying forward the spirit of China's women's volleyball in the new era," Lai said.

Zhao will head a newly appointed coaching team that includes Olympic champion Yang Hao, along with Yuan Lingxi, Yu Fei, and Zhang Chen - all experienced coaches. Lai noted that the new team not only brings technical expertise but also places an emphasis on building team unity and fostering a strong team culture.

"We had in-depth discussions with Zhao Yong on the strategic direction for the new national team, the coaching lineup, and player selection," Lai added. "We are confident in his ability to lead and will fully support him in this mission".

The new squad includes world champions Li Yingying, Gong Xiangyu, Wang Yuanyuan, and Wang Mengjie as core players. Several under-20 youth team members, including Zhang Zixuan from the junior national squad, have also earned their first national team call-ups -demonstrating a clear commitment to nurturing young talent for the future.

Lai emphasized that the selection "takes a long-term view and breaks conventional molds," aiming to build depth for the Los Angeles Games.

China's women's volleyball team will make its debut under the new leadership in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League in June, followed by the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Thailand in August.

With limited preparation time, a youthful roster, and major challenges ahead, the team now embarks on a fresh journey under its new head coach.