IMG Academy Expands Athletic Offerings with the Launch of Boys’ Volleyball Program

BRADENTON, Fla. (January 28, 2025) - IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, announced the upcoming expansion of its volleyball program with the introduction of boys volleyball. Following on the rapid success of the girls volleyball program introduced in 2023 and now featuring four competitive teams, the new program will provide male student-athletes with opportunities to excel in one of the nation’s fastest growing sports.

Building on this strong foundation, IMG Academy will offer the same elite-level training, competition, and holistic development opportunities that have defined its approach to athletic excellence. Boys volleyball will benefit from IMG Academy's state-of-the-art facilities, designed to support both girls and boys teams. These resources, combined with IMG Academy’s advanced Athletic and Personal Development (APD) programs, deliver an integrated training experience inclusive of strength and conditioning, mental performance, nutrition, character development and more.

The boys volleyball program will debut with limited summer camps in 2025, offering developmental training and team events in preparation for the inaugural boarding school season in Fall 2026. These camps offer student-athletes intense, hands-on coaching and competitive play, while also providing the unique opportunity to experience the same holistic development training as IMG Academy’s boarding student-athletes, helping young volleyball student-athletes grow both on and off the court.

“At IMG Academy, we are continually evolving, guided by our purpose to empower student-athletes to win their future,” said Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy - Campus. “The launch of boys volleyball marks a bold moment, and this program will be fueled with energy and excellence, offering an unrivaled experience that ignites growth and development across every aspect of our student-athletes' volleyball journey.”

Gilad Doron, the Program Director for the girls volleyball program will lead the development for boys volleyball – overseeing both. Doron’s coaching career has taken him across multiple continents, earning him recognition as a respected figure in the volleyball coaching community. Throughout his career, he has mentored several All-Americans and All-Conference players. As a former player for the Israeli national team, Doron brings a wealth of experience, having achieved success at both the NCAA Division I and high school levels.

"I am honored to lead the launch of boys volleyball at IMG Academy," said Doron. "Our aim is to establish a premier volleyball program that fosters excellence, teamwork, and commitment. Building on the momentum of the girls volleyball program, we are eager to create a dynamic, competitive environment where all student-athletes can thrive and reach their full potential."

Boys volleyball will join eight other boys’ sports offered at IMG Academy including Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, and Track and Field. The sport has seen unprecedented growth, with the latest NFHS participation data for 2022-23 reporting a 16.24% increase, adding 10,800 new participants and bringing the total to 77,287—the largest year-over-year surge on record.

The expansion of the volleyball program will position IMG Academy as a year-round hub for volleyball competition worldwide, with the ability to host national and international events, clinics, and tournaments. The initiative has garnered support from renowned leaders and figures within the IMG Academy community:

To learn more about boys’ volleyball at IMG Academy, please visit:
Boarding School - https://www.imgacademy.com/boarding-school/volleyball-boys
Camp - https://www.imgacademy.com/sport-camps/boys-volleyball-camp

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.