Two pairs of young New Zealand athletes claimed international honours on Friday, winning bronze medals at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinadad and Tobago.

Kiana Stevenson and Tineke Hinton stepped onto the podium in the women's event via a 2-0 victory over Kenyan pair Sharon Arusei and Abigael Chesebe.

The opening game was tight, with the Kiwis ultimately more composed at the end to win 22-20. The Kiwi pair learnt from the first game and were more clinical in the second for a 21-16 win, to take the match 2-0.

“I’m so stoked and proud,” said Hinton. “We definitely had to adapt to win that game but we did so really well and quickly and that helped us get that win.”

“We fought right to the end, it means so much to win a medal for our country,” added Stevenson.

Later in the day, New Zealand's men's pair of Calum Stewart and Juraj Krajci repeated the dose, claiming the win in their bronze medal match - a 2-1 victory over Cyprus' Alexis Savvidis and Anninos Chrysosotomou.

The Cypriots were ruthless in their first game against Kiwi pair Calum Stewart and Juraj Krajci, winning 21-12. The New Zealanders bounced back and improved, taking the next two games 19-21 and 14-16 to win bronze.

“That was a crazy three setter to finish the tournament,” said Krajci.

“It feels so great to win this medal and I can’t wait to call my mum and tell her.”

It’s the first time New Zealand's Beach Volleyballers have ever won a medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Via NZOC

A team of six has left New Zealand in preparation for the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago later this week.

Kiana Stevenson, Tineke Hinton, Calum Stewart and Juraj Krajci will represent their country at the event which begins on August 5 (Trinidad and Tobago time).

Coaches Fiona Scrimshaw (girls) and Warren Smith (boys) will accompany the teams.

The teams departed New Zealand in preparation for the event with the boys team preparing in Zurich and girls team linking in Los Angeles before travelling to the Caribbean for the event.

Volleyball New Zealand Performance Manager Colleen Campbell is excited for the team to hit the sand at the event with the build-up to the team's departure running over more than half the year.

I want to acknowledge the work of the coaches and the wider squad that has gone in over the summer period that has contributed to this campaign," Campbell said.

"The athletes are looking forward to playing against the best teams from the Commonwealth and the international competition and development opportunity that comes with it will be invaluable for those involved."

Volleyball NZ - Youth Commonwealth Games team 2023 - Trinidad & Tobago
August 5-10, 2023

Players
Calum Stewart
Juraj Krajci
Kiana Stevenson
Tineke Hinton

Coaches
Warren Smith
Fiona Scrimshaw

Four of New Zealand brightest young beach volleyball talents head overseas on Wednesday in preparation for the U-19 Beach World Championships.

Fresh off their selection in the top five of the women’s National Volleyball League draft in August, Burnside High School mates Rosa Vesty and Taylah Holdem will represent their country in the women’s competition while Rosmini College’s Charlie Dalton and Kyle Smith (formally Hillcrest High School) will compete in the men’s event.

Speaking to VNZ before flying out on Wednesday, Dalton said he is relishing the chance at the next level over the next couple of weeks.

“Definitely the exposure piece and being able to play on the world stage,” Dalton said.

“Because it’s a world champs, it’s the ultimate peak of our age group in beach volleyball which is pretty exciting.

“Playing Asian Championships earlier this year has been good for me, but this is another step up, being able to see the European teams and experience all different types of game play.”

Both teams initially head to Los Angeles for training, where they will be hosted by former New Zealand Beach player and Asian Champion Hayden Jones before travelling on to Turkey for the main event.

Dalton says the lead up to the event has been good with a mix of work individually and as a team ahead of the first game in Turkey.

“Preparation has been good – Kyle has been in the South Island with Waz [Warren Smith] and I’ve been doing some stuff with Johann Timmer in Mairangi Bay. Over the last three days we’ve had a camp in Auckland which has been some good preparation to get our connection going.

“Leading into LA which should be good, another three solid days training and we get to experience harsher conditions in the heat wave they have going on over there.

“I think we’ve got enough time to get that connection going.” 

Follow the progress of the Kiwi teams at the World U-19 Beach Championships via the Volleyball NZ Instagram and Facebook accounts. 

Related link: NZ Junior Beach Trials information 2022-2024

World U-19 Beach Championships 2022
Dikili, İzmir, Turkey
September 14-18

Women’s Team:

Coach: Fiona Scrimshaw
Players: Rosa Vesty and Taylah Holdem (Burnside High School/Canterbury Volleyball)

Men’s Team:

Coach: Luis Paulo (Men’s Programme coach Warren Smith unavailable for the event)
Players: Charlie Dalton (Rosmini College/Harbour Volleyball) and Kyle Smith (formerly Hillcrest High School/Waikato Volleyball)

Volleyball New Zealand are pleased to announce trial dates for the Junior Men’s and Women’s Beach programmes for all athletes born between 2005 and 2006. This age group will be targeting possible events including Youth Commonwealth Games, Asian Champs, and possible tours to Australia and the Pacific. 

2022-2024 Programme Plans

• October 2022 – Open National Team Trials to select a NZ U19 Beach Squad. Members of this squad will form the Campaign group for 2023 International Competition.
• December 2022 – NZ U19 Campaign Squads will assemble for a training camp - Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre (TBC). Athletes not selected will be able to attend U19 Development Camp alongside the Next Gen Programme.
• 2023 - Selections for Youth Commonwealth Games and other international competitions

Location and Times

(Please note the following times are different for each trial due to coach/court availability)

South Island Trial 

• Under 19 Women - 4th October 2022 - Pioneer Sand Courts
• Under 19 Men - 28^th October (Strength and Conditioning Testing) and 29^th October (Sand Sessions) October 2022 - Pioneer Sand Courts

North Island Trial: 

• Under 19 Women - 2nd October 2022 - Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre
• Under 19 Men - 29th October (Strength and Conditioning Testing) and  30th October 2022 (Sand Sessions)- Harbour Beach Volleyball Centre

 
Cost

- $60 
- Transport, food, and accommodation will be at the athletes expense

Eligibility

To be eligible to trial and be available for selection. athletes will need to:

- Be born between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006
- Have New Zealand as their Federation of Origin (FIVB)
- Hold a NZ Passport or have NZ citizenship
- Be a registered member of Volleyball NZ 

Registration

To register, please click here.

Registration closes Friday 23 September, 5pm

Please contact admin@volleyballnz.org.nz for any eligibility or registration questions

Programme FAQ

Q: Can I attend either trial to be considered?
A: Yes, these trials were set up to accommodate athletes around the country. Athletes may attend either depending on their availability or preference.  

Q: I can only attend one day is that ok?
A: Yes, we understand other commitments may prevent you from attending both days. Athletes will need to still pay the full trial fee.

Q: I can’t attend any trials; can I still be eligible for the Under 19 Beach Programme?
A: Yes, however this won’t allow selectors to see you in comparison to other athletes. If you can’t attend, you will need to contact Men’s Coach Warren Smith - wdsmith1967@gmail.com - or Women’s Coach Fiona Scrimshaw - fiona.scrimshaw@gmail.com or Women’s Coach fiona.scrimshaw@gmail.com