Beach volleyball teams in trenches

The Under-23 team will be the first to go into the battle field with their competition set for June 5 to 9 in Poland.

They will be followed by the Under-21 event scheduled for Croatia from June 20 to 23 and the Under-19 will head for Portugal where they will compete against teams from across the globe from July 11 to 14.

ZVA president, Fredrick Ndlovu, said preparations were on course with the teams having already begun training.
“We are in full swing in terms of preparations because there are a lot of things that need to be done now that we are going to the highest level of volleyball.

“A lot needs to be done in terms of players and administration preparations. At the moment we are doing our best. In terms of organisation itself we are okay,” said Ndlovu.
However, Ndlovu said they were facing financial constraints to have the teams in camp where they can fully concentrate on their preparations.

“We would have loved to have more finances to provide for the players, have them in camp so that they can fully concentrate on training.
“At the moment we bring them in for a short period of time and then they go back to their basis,” said Ndlovu.

The ZVA president said the qualification by the teams was an encouragement in the development of beach volleyball.
“Obviously this achievement is a big encouragement and we want to equip all our facets with the knowledge about beach volleyball.

“It’s a journey but we are really focused on ensuring that we equip everyone. We will be hosting a beach volleyball course because we need a holistic approach.
“We have done international management course and most likely in August we are going to host an international course again.

“We are also hoping to send one of our referees for an international course so that we have the right coaches and referees also. All this is to spread beach volleyball knowledge,” said Ndlovu.

Beach volleyball national coach, Robert Njerere, said they were going to stage a competition in the first week of June as part of the Under-23s final preparations.
“On the first weekend of June we are hoping to have a tournament for the team because they are leaving on June 3.

“The committee is still deciding whether to have a tournament or a select team that will play with these guys before they leave.
“So far training has been going on well, it’s okay. We are just hoping that we get more funds so that the technical team can also go,” said Njerere.
The national association need to raise US$60 000 to cater for the three teams.