The Bermuda Volleyball Association announced its participation in the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U21 Beach Volleyball Championships, scheduled to take place from August 30th to September 1st in St. Kitts & Nevis. This prestigious event will bring together 13 teams from 11 countries, all competing for a coveted spot in the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships, which will be held in Georgia in July 2025. The countries set to compete include Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, St. Eustatius, Saba, Bermuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, and host nation St. Kitts and Nevis. These teams represent the region’s dedication to providing young athletes with opportunities to compete at an elite level, fostering both their athletic development and personal growth. Both the Bermuda Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball teams will be competing in the event. The Men’s team features the duo of Riley Morbey 18, and Marcus Rodrigues 17, while the Women’s team includes the pairing of Hailey Trott 16, and Isabella Sousa 16. Accompanying the teams are two of the BVA’s dedicated coaches, Mark Hamilton and Meagan McPeek. These coaches will not only guide our athletes but will also be pursuing their FIVB Beach Volleyball coaching certification during the event. The coaches will benefit from the FIVB Beach Volleyball Coaches Course, taking place from August 26-31. This coaching seminar will coincide with a U21 Athlete Training Camp, which will be held in preparation for the ECVA U21 Beach Championships. Bermuda’s athletes and coaches are set to gain valuable knowledge and skills ahead of the competition on August 30. This initiative underscores the region’s commitment to increasing beach volleyball’s presence within the Eastern Caribbean and is a pilot program — the first of its kind — where a coaching course, training camp, and tournament are being paired together. This unique approach provides an integrated development platform that enhances coaching skills, sharpens athlete performance, and fosters youth development in the sport. By bringing these elements together, the program aims to elevate the standard of beach volleyball throughout the region and create lasting opportunities for growth. BVA Co-President Brandon Sousa expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are incredibly excited to announce our participation in the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U21 Beach Volleyball Championships. Our teams have been training rigorously and are eager to compete on the international stage. They are prepared to demonstrate their skills, competitive spirit, and determination. We anticipate a fantastic competition and are confident that our athletes will make Bermuda proud. This event represents a significant step in our journey to elevate Bermuda's presence in international beach volleyball, and we can't wait to see our teams in action.”
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