Foto: Sergio Villalba

We are delighted to welcome our two new Ambassadors Joana Mäder and Anouk Verge-Dépré to our team.

A message from Joana Mäder & Anouk Vergé-Dépré

The beach volleyball athletes have been playing together as a team since 2017 and have already won a number of international tournaments. The "Moscow World Tour" victory in 2019 and the European championship title in 2020 are proof of their consistent work and constructive approach to challenges.

Joana Mäder picked up her technical foundation in classical volleyball, where she reached the highest Swiss league. At 21, she began her career in beach volleyball. The athletic duo sport in the sand, as well as the enormous pressure on each individual player, inspire her surpass herself and fight for the biggest titles in beach volleyball. Joana is committed to working with Right To Play to provide opportunities and support to disadvantaged children. She is particularly passionate about improving the quality of education for girls and boys worldwide and advocating gender equality.

"My sport has given me a lot since I first started playing. My height wasn’t always easy to deal with during my school years. After I started playing volleyball, that changed very quickly.
It is extremely valuable and important for the development of children, regardless of their gender, that they are physically and mentally supported in a relaxed atmosphere. That's why I am excited to commit myself to Right To Play and hope to help this valuable organisation grow even further.” – Joana Mäder

Anouk Verge-Dépré started accompanying her parents to the courtside as a child and so discovered volleyball at a young age. Anouk spent her junior years at the volleyball club Köniz and played beach volleyball in the summer simultaneously. After her first NLA indoor season with Sm'Aesch Pfeffingen as an outside attacker, she switched to professional beach volleyball in 2011. Anouk particularly loves this sport because being part of a duo requires a high level of responsibility and is therefore both mentally and technically challenging. . Newly on the team with Joana Mäder, she transitioned from blocker to defence - a wonderful example of how, given the chance, potential can be unleashed and amazing things can be achieved. As an Ambassador of Right To Play, Anouk is committed to empower girls to develop and succeed in life.

“When I was introduced to Right To Play I was reminded why I started playing beach volleyball in the first place. Being in the sand and competing playfully with friends always let me forget what was around me and gave me confidence and a safe space. Especially during my teenage years,when I was facing physicalchanges towards becoming a woman and felt the pressure of social expectations, it was my sport - me playing - that let me feel empowered.
I truly believe sport in all its facets makes you a better person, in body and mind. Supporting Right To Play allows me the opportunity to spread this message and to empower especially young girls to find their place and voice.” – Anouk Vergé-Dépré