Looking back on European season

Looking back on European season

VNZ High Performance Coach feels the Games Beach Volleyball teams made great progress and got a lot from the Birmingham experience.

"We'd have certainly liked some medals, but in the end just couldn't get across the line. Brad and Sam played well but ultimately just had a bad game at the wrong time - if they'd had it in a pool match or semi final they'd have been fine, but you can't do it in in a knockout match. Then Shaunna and Alice showed how close they could push the very top sides there, especially in those tight ones against Canada."  

For the VNZ contingent the Games experience was enjoyable overall, linking up with fellow kiwis from different disciplines, and the facilities and experience at the Beach Volleyball centre.

"Was great to be part of the New Zealand team, the way they made everyone feel included was something special, things like the flag bearer announcements etc. We spent a bit of time watching the 3 on 3 basketball as their court was right next to ours."

The hardest part for Lochhead was watching his teams take on their Birmingham opponents while sitting in the stand.
"As a coach you feel quite helpless! We're sat quite a way away in a special coaches area that's quite removed from the court - but you could see the teams putting their plans into action, and going through their processes at time outs, taking a few seconds to reset then going over what's working and what needs to change."  

After a summer campaign through Europe with Brad Fuller and Sam O'Dea taking victory at the Futures event in Giardini Naxos in Italy and both teams making main draws, the experience will stand our athletes in good stead.

"Across the season, there's been huge progress in the World Tour events where the competition is even tougher than the Commonwealth Games. With the men winning the tournament in Italy against a very tough field and Shaunna and Alice qualifying for quality tournaments we're in a really good space overall."

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