Ruffolo worked for New York-based radio network Westwood One at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games before serving as the senior expert for media and communications at Beijing 2008.

He was also executive advisor for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and was appointed to senior roles at the 2013 Asian Youth Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, both hosted in Nanjing.

The American has spent 17 years in senior management with China Southern Airlines, China’s largest airline, and is the author of Inside the Beijing Olympics, a first person account of the inner workings of the Olympic Games in China.  

In March of this year, Volleyball England launched its Strategy 2024, presenting a long-term vision for where it would like to see volleyball in England in 2024.

Ruffolo said he is "delighted" to be joining Volleyball England at what he describes as "a significant time for the organisation".

"There has been a real step-change in the past year or so within the sport, setting ambitious growth targets as part of their Strategy 2024," he added.

"There is fantastic potential and a real drive within the team to grow the sport and I’m looking forward to being part of that as the sport continues to see rapid growth throughout England."

The announcement of the appointment was made by Lisa Wainwright, chief executive of Volleyball England, who claimed that Ruffolo's commercial and marketing expertise on the world stage will continue to drive the sport’s upward momentum.

"We are very pleased to have someone of Mr. Ruffolo’s global expertise in the Olympic Movement as part of our senior consulting team," she said.

"He brings a wealth of Olympic and major events experience and is recognised universally as a man of high ethics and poise on the international stage."

Volleyball England is striving to modernise the image of the game and has set itself targets for the expansion of its membership. 

These include an increase in affiliated clubs, as well as qualified, registered and active coaches and referees.

They are also aiming to up the numbers of volunteers and players of all standards and ages, irrespective of gender and background.

"Volleyball is a global sport," added Wainwright.

"Millions of people all over the earth enjoy all aspects and disciplines, indoor, beach and sitting.

"We are absolutely confident that we will have a truly vibrant sport, played, watched or talked about by everyone in England by 2024."


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