The eight players to represent New Zealand at the 2024 U-19 Asian Beach Volleyball Championships were named on Tuesday.
Following an identification process and training which began in December, two teams per gender have been named with players featuring heavily from both the Inter-Provincial Championships and NZ Secondary School Championships in January and February.
Five regions are represented across the teams; Harbour Volleyball, Waikato Volleyball, Volleyball Bay of Plenty, Tasman Volleyball and Canterbury Volleyball having players included.
U-19 Women’s Coach Liz Hanna is excited around the potential of the group she has.
“We are looking forward to working with this talented group of young women who have numerous pathways and opportunities,” Hanna said.
“The potential across the group is exciting but a quick turnaround and building on the skills players bring into the environment will be our immediate focus for the Asian Championships.”
Meanwhile, U-19 Men’s Coach Luis Paulo Santana said the group has been working on long-term development areas as a priority while also balancing the need for focus on the upcoming event.
“This is such an exciting group of athletes, and it has been amazing to see the enthusiasm of the players for just being part of the programme,” Santana said.
“The team and I are excited about the near future and what we are looking to accomplish.”
The team will continue preparation ahead of the event in Thailand which provides opportunities to secure a birth in the World Championships in Shangluo, China from 27 August to 1 September 2024.
A top-five finish at the Asian Championships would automatically qualify New Zealand a spot in the World Championships.
New Zealand U-19 Beach Teams – 2024 Asian Championships
Roi Et, Thailand
May 1-5, 2024
Men's Team 1
Calum Stewart – Volleyball Bay of Plenty
Liam Smith - Volleyball Waikato
Men's Team 2
Davi Pacheco – Harbour Volleyball
Nathan Davies - Volleyball Tasman
Non-Travelling Reserves
Thomas Vesty – Canterbury Volleyball
John Petrucci – Harbour Volleyball
Men's Coach
Luis Paulo Santana
Women’s Team 1
Emma Mason – Canterbury Volleyball
Kalea Norton – Harbour Volleyball
Women’s Team 2
Kaia Buckley – Harbour Volleyball
Devyn Golaboski – Harbour Volleyball
Non-Travelling Reserves
Ruby Amkreutz – Harbour Volleyball
Morgan Lee - Canterbury Volleyball
Women’s Co-Coaches
Liz Hanna
Claire Stewart
