The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) has officially released its beach volleyball schedule for April, with Bermuda’s youth talent set to take center stage in the Dominican Republic.
While no Bermudian teams are slated to compete in the season-opening Continental Tour stop in Costa Rica from 16 to 20 April, the island's focus shifts to the developmental ranks later in the month.
Bermuda will be well-represented at the Under-18 Girls Championships Qualification Tournament, held in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, from 24 to 26 April. The event serves as a high-stakes gateway to the global stage, with the region’s top youth pairings battling for a coveted spot at the World Championships.
Representing the Gombey flag in the Women’s Division are the promising duo of Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl. The pair are no strangers to the international sand, having previously gained invaluable experience competing at the NORCECA U18 level in 2025.
Gazzard and Weikl, both products of the Bermuda Volleyball Association’s dedicated youth pipeline, will face a daunting field of regional powerhouses, including teams from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The decision to focus on the Under-18 qualifier underscores the BVA’s current strategy of prioritizing long-term athlete development. By testing Gazzard and Weikl against the best in the NORCECA region, the association aims to accelerate their transition into senior international competition.
With the first serve in Juan Dolio just weeks away, the duo will be looking to build on their previous 9th-place regional finish and secure a historic qualification for Bermuda on the world stage.
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