Selecting Teams for Youth Beach Phoenix

On January 28th and 29th on Manly beach aspiring athletes from across NSW came to Sydney for the Phoenix Beach Squad Camp to trial for the 2023 Youth Beach Phoenix team. The trial included two full day activities to select the best and most talented athletes to represent NSW at the Australian Youth Beach Championships (AYBVC) in March.  

The Saturday camp focused on the younger U14 and U15 age divisions with 37 athletes in attendance led by 2012 Olympian and VNSW Head of Pathways Martin Reader. Registration for the youngest two age groups was open to the community with priority being given to those who came through the Phoenix talent identification camps and VNSW Beach Volleyball competitions.  

Athletes were taken through three hour long trainings across the day ending with an hour of free play to close off the camp. The emphasis went beyond technical skills with the goal of upskilling the next generation of talent with more advanced game systems. Athletes progressed their knowledge of the game by exploring sideout, offensive and defensive drills while meeting new friends and recovering between sessions on beautiful Manly beach.  

On Sunday the U16-U18 Camp welcomed 56 athletes across three age categories in both genders led once again by Martin Reader while Phoenix Head Coach Chris Todd was away at a National Junior tour event. The camp was very competitive with coaches facilitating fast paced game like scenarios to drive game IQ and decision making. Athletes explored passing the first contact to new areas, experimented with new set tempos and explored sharper defensive tactics. 

Final athlete evaluations and Youth Beach Phoenix team nominations have now been sent out. Athletes who confirm their positions will begin to play in their assigned teams in preparation for the NSW Youth Beach Championships in Kiama as well as other targeted events prior to the 2023 AYBVC.  

A big THANK YOU to Northern Beaches Volleyball Association (NBVA) for providing access to courts on the busy weekend and a personalized thank you to Linda Thomas and Cain Booker for their help in organizing and setting up the camp. 

The next competition for all youth athletes is the NSW Youth Championships in Kiama this weekend, February 11th & 12th. 

NSW Youth Championships