Social volleyball is a fun, low-pressure way to enjoy the game, open to anyone from complete beginners to experienced players who just want to stay active and connect with others. Across Aotearoa, regional communities offer both beach and indoor formats, with games played as 2-a-side, 4-a-side or 6-a-side depending on the competition.

Leagues and casual sessions are designed to suit all abilities and fitness levels, with the focus on enjoyment, teamwork and keeping the body moving, whether you’re learning the basics or playing purely for the love of the game.

Check out your regional association to see what social volleyball opportunities are on offer near you!

Secondary school volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in New Zealand and is now the second most participated secondary school sport, with over 27,000 athletes nationwide. Schools across Aotearoa offer both junior and senior opportunities, from beach to indoor, social to competitive and everything in between.

The season begins with the Junior Secondary School Championships for indoor and beach in November, followed by the Senior Secondary School Beach Championships in December.

The pinnacle event in March, the National Secondary School Championships, where the best teams from around the country come together to compete. With strong pathways, inclusivity and a vibrant community, secondary school volleyball continues to inspire and develop the next generation of players.

Volleyball NZ have received information from FIVB with the following: 

Youth Olympic Games (YOG 2026) must be under the age of 18 at the time of the Games, which aligns with the definition of a "Child" under Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Following the decision approved by the FIVB Board of Administration, the FIVB Beach Volleyball U18 World Championships are now added to the 2025 Calendar in addition to the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships. The decision is taken in alignment with the IOC and the age requirements for YOG 2026, and such tournament is to be held towards the end of 2025 with the goal of providing playing opportunities for the eligible athletes. 

 This change impacts the following:  

- Asian Champs/World Champs will now happen in 2025. Date and location tbd. Age group criteria will remain as athletes born in 2008 and thereafter.  

- Youth Olympic Games will remain in 2026; however, the age group will now be open to anyone under 18 at the completion of the event. Athletes born after November 13th, 2008.  

- A selection trial for the 2025 events, will now be held on the 17th and 18th April at the Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre. Selections and camps for 2026 will be communicated at a later date.  

NZ U18 Beach Volleyball Coaching Staff

Women's Coaches 

• Claire Stewart 

• Liz Hanna 

Men's Coach 

• Luis Paulo Santana De Mattos

Key Staff:

• Finance: Melanie Sykes
• Administrator: Teresa Highnam
  

The Volley Ferns are New Zealand’s senior women’s indoor volleyball team, made up of the country’s top-performing athletes based both domestically and overseas. The programme is targeted at achieving a top 10 ranking in Asia and draws on both locally based and international players to reach that goal.

Domestically, the squad trains in monthly camp-based environments from March to October as part of its national development and preparation strategy.

The international competition cycle spans two years:

• Year 1: AVC Nations Cup (2025), Australian Test Series

• Year 2: Asian Women’s Championship (2026)

Additional fixtures may include Test Series against Australia, Oceania Championships, or international tours, such as recent opportunities in South America.

Athletes are selected through an initial trial process in Year 1, and via EOI and identification in Year 2. To be considered, athletes must be actively competing in national or international Club or IPC (Inter-Provincial Championships) environments, and able to commit to the demands of international touring and training.

Volley Ferns Coaching & Support Staff

• Head Coach: Adam Watson

• Team Manager: Mary Edmondson

• Statistician: Zeljko Labit

• Physiotherapist: Jessica Williams

• Administration: Teresa Highnam 

Junior Indoor Volleyball Pathway

The Junior Indoor Volleyball Pathway is designed to develop high-performing individuals through structured national programmes that build toward the New Zealand Under 20 Teams, and ultimately prepare athletes for selection into the Volley Ferns, Volley Blacks, college scholarships, and professional opportunities overseas.

This pathway reflects Volleyball New Zealand’s long-term commitment to enhancing New Zealand’s competitive standing on the global stage and ensuring our emerging athletes are ready for the next level of international volleyball.

New Zealand Under 20 Team

The New Zealand Under 20 Men’s and Women’s Teams operate in a two year cycle targeting to compete at the Asian U20 Championships, sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). These teams represent a crucial performance step between junior and senior national team environments.

Athletes are identified through national trials, sustained involvement in national competitions such as NZ Secondary Schools (NZSS), Inter-Provincial Championships (IPC), and NZ Club Championships, and ongoing monitoring by national coaches.

National coaches and selectors attend NZSS Nationals, IPC, and Club Championships to scout and track athletes involved in the Junior Pathway.

Athletes wishing to trial will need to be eligible at time of registration -  VNZ Eligibility for National Teams.pdf

Age eligibility for this campaign will be for those born in either 2008 and 2009. Considerations for athletes younger will be at Volleyball NZ discretion. 

Programme Timeline: NZ U20 Volleyball Pathway

September 2025– Coach recruitment and appointments for Junior Programmes

February 2026– Trial registrations open (Online)

April 2026– North & South Island Trial Camps (Auckland & Christchurch)

May 2026– National U20 Training Squads named (approx. 30–36 athletes per gender)

6–12 July 2026– U20 Squad training and internal competitionLocation: King’s College, Auckland

October 2026– NZ U20 Squad training continues, with trimming of squad ahead of final selection

April 2027– Final selection camp for NZ U20 Teams (Location TBC)– Final NZ U20 Teams named (12 athletes per gender)

May–June 2027– NZ U20 Team preparation and training camps (Location TBC)

July 2027– NZ U20s compete at the Asian U20 Volleyball ChampionshipsLocation: AVC Host Nation

Our High Performance Beach Volleyball programme supports a small, elite group of athletes who train and compete internationally year-round. This current cycle is focused on preparing for the 2026 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, and building toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Our top pairings include Ben O’Dea and Brad Fuller on the men’s side, and Olivia McDonald and Shaunna Polley for the women. These athletes are supported by a world-class team:

• Jason Lochhead – Head Coach

• Craig Seuseu – Assistant Coach

• Brad Takai – Physiotherapist

• Colleen Campbell – General Manager of Performance

• Teresa Highnam - Administration 
  

A key development pathway into the high performance space is the NZ A Beach Volleyball Programme, led by Head Coach Antonia Harrison. This programme bridges aspiring elite athletes into the international stage and is supported by our wider High Performance Beach Volleyball staff and management. It plays a vital role in growing the depth and sustainability of our national beach volleyball success.