The Volley Blacks have returned home safely from Bahrain after wrapping up their campaign at the 2025 AVC Men’s Nations Cup. Representing Aotearoa on the international stage, the team faced off against some of Asia’s top volleyball nations in a tournament that tested not only their skill, but also their resilience and growth as a developing squad.
While the results may not have landed in their favour, the tour marked a significant milestone in the team’s rebuild, serving as their first FIVB-sanctioned tournament since 2016/17 and their debut at the AVC Nations Cup. It was a return that signalled intent, laying the foundation for future international competition.
A standout moment came in their final match, where the Volley Blacks pushed the Philippines to four sets, claiming a dominant second set victory in the process. It was a display of belief, momentum, and fight, showing the team’s ability to reset, regroup and take control against an established program. That set win was a glimpse of what this young side is capable of when everything clicks, and a sign of growth across the campaign.
Adding to the campaign’s significance was the introduction of eight debutants to the international stage. Scott Shipton, Kameo Wagner, Wernich Pheiffer, Seth Grant, Thomas Vesty, Matthew Butterfield, Daniel Malcolm, Pesa Morrison, and Luke McIntosh all earned their first caps in the black jersey.
Head Coach Sebastián González Moreno reflected on the tour:
"We went head to head with some of the best teams in Asia, programs with full-time athletes, professional structures, and years of high-level competition under their belts. And while we didn’t come away with the results we were aiming for, we proved something even more important: we belong.”
“This tournament gave us a crystal clear view of where we stand, what we need to work on, and how close we are to the level we are chasing. It showed that the gap is closing, and that with hard work, the right mindset, and belief in our system, New Zealand volleyball is rising.”
“One of my first goals as head coach was to put New Zealand back on the global volleyball map, and we’ve done that. We’re now ranked 68th in the world, and that’s just the beginning. This is more than a result, it’s a signal. We’re coming. And we’re coming stronger.”
As the team regroups and reflects, their return home marks more than the end of a tournament, it’s the beginning of a new era. One fuelled by belief, momentum, and a clear vision: to put New Zealand volleyball on the world stage, where it belongs.
Want to support the future of the Volley Blacks?
If you’re interested in helping our Volley Blacks programme continue to grow and reach the world stage, please get in touch: ella@volleyballnz.org.nz