Volleyball New Zealand is delighted to confirm the appointment of three coaches to lead the Junior Beach Programme for the next international cycle.
For the women’s programme, co-coaches have been named with Claire Stewart (based in Auckland) and Liz Hanna (based in Christchurch) to work together to guide the athletes in their care.
Stewart has a long-standing involvement in coaching volleyball in New Zealand is a former captain of the Volley Ferns. Her most recent appointment was as Midlands Te Wai Ora assistant coach in the 2022 National Volleyball League.
Hanna joins the national staff for the Junior programme from the coaching group with the Canterbury Volleyball Association. A former United States Division 1 College player, Hanna has spent the last several years playing on the G.J. Gardner Homes NZ Beach Tour presented by Tip Top.
Both Stewart and Hanna are currently involved in the C.O.DE-F women’s coaching programme led by Kim Smith.
Meanwhile, Luis Santana has been named as the men’s Junior Beach coach for the next cycle.NZ
Originally from Brazil, Santana Luis had previously been an assistant coach in the Under 19 programme under Warren Smith and had the opportunity of coaching Kyle Smith and Charlie Dalton to 17th place at the World Championships in 2022.
On the back of the appointment of the trio, Volleyball New Zealand Performance Manager Colleen Campbell is excited for the year ahead.
“Congratulations to all the coaches who have been appointed, it's going to be a very busy and exciting year for the programmes and we look forward to providing quality experiences for the athletes involved,” Campbell said.
Both groups are preparing for the Asian Championships (as qualification for World Championships) with details to follow around specific timing and location.
