Have you heard of Chinese 9-man volleyball?

Every labor day weekend, 9-man volleyball teams compete in the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NACIVT). The NACIVT rotates through 7 major Chinatowns across North America. There are also mini-tournaments leading up to the annual NACIVT. The New York Mini, in particular, has been held annually since 1987 in Manhattan's Chinatown.

The origins of 9-man volleyball are somewhat obscure. Most believe that it originated in Taishan when American missionaries introduced early incarnations of volleyball. Later, Chinese immigrants brought the sport to the US Chinatowns in the 1900s. 9-man volleyball is still played in Taishan and America's Chinatowns and wound up with its peculiar format; a larger court, a lower net, nine men per side, and rules that stress their Chinese heritage.

The Chinese Exclusion Act inadvertently fostered 9-man's growth in the US. Under this discriminatory law, Chinese laborers could not send for their wives, establish families, or become US citizens. Local and state laws kept Chinese immigrants from working in the public sector, attending white public schools, owning land and property, and marrying white women. Chinese immigrants also faced many social challenges. They were denied jobs, had difficulty renting from white landlords, and were barred from using public facilities and participating in local sports teams.

9-man volleyball was formed out of intense racial discrimination and segregation. It was an easily accessible sport for the predominantly male laundry and restaurant workers who had few alternatives for socializing. Over time, 9-man became a popular form of recreation in Chinatowns across the US and Canada. As Chinese communities remained small and isolated, holding tournaments on Labor Day — a holiday with guaranteed time off and special train fares — became a way for Chinese immigrants to socialize with others who have endured similar hardships.

Nowadays, 9-man volleyball remains a way for Asian-Americans to celebrate their heritage and build friendships across the US.

📸: @9mandoc