VOLLEYBALL MANAWATU'S DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY FOR COMPETITIVE BEACH PLAYERS
As part of the overarching Elite Development Pathway (EDP), the 2024 summer representative season will focus on training and competition in beach volleyball, a variant of volleyball common around the world, but historically less common in the Manawatū.
Beach volleyball provides an opportunity for our representative athletes to experience volleyball in a different way, playing 2-aside volleyball, without positions, and largely competing without coaches. Beach volleyball assists greatly with an athletes maturity, physical conditioning and ball control, aspects of play that transfer well to indoor volleyball.
SEASON FORMAT
The season will be structured around domestic training and competition. EDP squads will train one night a week from the start of term 4 through to the middle of January (breaking for Christmas).
EDP players will participate in the Volleyball Manawatū junior beach volleyball tournament series, and will play additional competitive matches as the programme allows.
Selection for participation at the Volleyball New Zealand Interprovincial Beach Volleyball Championships will happen via the Volleyball Manawatū EDP.
For the summer season we will be running Under 17 & Under 19 Womens and Mens teams. Eligibility is as follows:
Each squad will comprise up to 16 players, to be determined based on trial attendance.
The programme has been designed to keep costs to a minimum, recognising the significant costs incurred by athletes playing throughout the year across schools, clubs and representative duties.
SQUAD TRIALS
All eligible players are welcome to participate in the open trials, held on the 21st and 28th September. All players interested in trialling must register ahead of time, via this google form.
The intention is to complete the trials and name the squads ahead of term 4, however we recognise that many players (predominantly junior players) have been inactive throughout terms 2 and 3. Coaches retain the right to reserve spots and invite players to join the squads through the early weeks of the Volleyball Manawatū Junior Premier League.
More information will be sent to registered players as it is decided, so REGISTER NOW.
For more details, reach out to programme manager Tim Middlehurst directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..