Volleyball first as DODEA launches middle school sports in Europe

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The Defense Department education system’s inaugural athletics program for middle schoolers is starting to take shape in Europe, with volleyball set to debut this winter.

Two other sports will follow — soccer in the spring of the current school year and basketball next fall — Michelle Howard-Brahaney, Department of Defense Education Activity-Europe director, said in a letter to families this week.

One challenge will likely be arranging competitions for some of the smaller, more isolated schools in Europe. With about 20 high schools spanning eight countries, DODEA Europe student athletes often travel long distances for sporting events.

“As we move forward, it is important to recognize that implementation may look different across our region and competition opportunities may vary by location,” Howard-Brahaney said. “Our goal is to create high-quality, sustainable athletic opportunities that best serve students across the region.”

Stuttgart captain Christian Groves attempts a bicycle kick among a group of Warriors that includes, from center left, Jaden Ruiz, Robert Milan and Joseph Valencia during the Division I boys final at the 2026 DODEA soccer championships on May 21, 2026, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Soccer will join DODEA’s new middle school athletics program in Europe in spring 2027, following volleyball’s launch this winter and ahead of basketball in the fall. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The middle school sports offerings were based mostly on responses to a school community feedback form, she said. Factors such as program sustainability, resource availability and opportunities for student participation were also considered.

“The number of responses exceeded expectations, and your participation provided valuable insight into the interests and priorities of our students and families,” Howard-Brahaney said in the letter. “Your feedback played a critical role in guiding our decisions.”

Over the summer, the Pentagon announced plans to launch an athletic program for its students at U.S. bases worldwide in grades six through eight.

Military and civilian families for years have pushed for more sports at DODEA middle schools, where extracurricular athletic opportunities fall far short of those at comparable U.S. public schools, particularly in overseas locations.

“Parents & students asked - @SecWar answered,” Anthony Tata, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said on X in July.

The post was referring to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose department oversees the Pentagon’s network of 160 schools in Europe, Asia and the United States.

DODEA, which goes by the Department of War Education Activity, has not publicly announced the sports lineup for its middle schools stateside and in the Pacific region.

Vicenza guard Alex Trescott shoots a 3-pointer during the Division II final against Black Forest Academy at the 2026 DODEA European basketball championships on Feb. 14, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. DODEA is launching its first middle school athletics program in Europe, based on family feedback, with volleyball starting this winter, soccer in spring 2027 and basketball in fall 2027. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Agency officials did not immediately respond to a query Wednesday about those details. Pacific schools have also sought similar feedback from families about their preferred sports offerings.

Last month, Kadena and Ryukyu middle schools at Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa posted a link to an online interest form on Facebook about sports.

“We want to offer programs that our students will love, and your input is key to deciding which sports we bring to campus!” the message said, noting plans to launch one sport in the winter and one sport in the spring.

In Europe, program timelines and start dates will be announced in the coming weeks, Howard-Brahaney said in her letter.

Other details being determined include student eligibility requirements, team structure, participation guidelines and opportunities for coaches and volunteers.