COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 31, 2020) – USA Volleyball invites athletes to participate in upcoming beach ParaVolley training camps, which are being held to identify athletes to represent the United States in international competition as well as an opportunity to learn the sport in an active setting.
Beach ParaVolley, or standing beach volleyball played with three-member teams, works within the Paralympic classification system which promotes the inclusivity of the sport.
According to Michelle Goodall, USA Volleyball’s beach ParaVolley program administrator, the emphasis in 2020 is to build the sport’s athlete pipeline as well as building exposure for the relatively new sport.
“We are thrilled to offer yet another year of this adaptive sport opportunity,” Goodall said. “We have long-range goals for this sport and we’re hopeful for inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.”
The 2020 season currently includes one confirmed international competition as part of the 2020 Beach ParaVolley World Championship Series. The Pingtan Beach World Series Open, which the USA won gold in the men’s division and silver in the women’s division in 2019, is being held May 28-31 in Pingtan, China.
Four other international competitions are being discussed for locations in The Netherlands (September), India (October), Lanzarote, Spain (November) and the United States (November/December).
While all athletes are encouraged to attend the training camps, individuals also wishing to represent the USA at a 2020 international beach ParaVolley tournaments must participate in one of three training camps or other designated International Event Qualifiers (IEQ) prior to selection. Training camps are scheduled for March 27-29 in Tavares, Florida, June 26-28 in Edmond, Oklahoma, and July 29-31 in Edmond, Oklahoma.
USA Volleyball will hold two beach ParaVolley demonstration events this summer. The first demonstration will involve youth players May 1-3 in conjunction with the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama. An adult demonstration of beach ParaVolley and a standalone tournament will be held May 8-10 in conjunction with the Collegiate Beach Championships in Hermosa Beach, California. These events will also serve as an IEQ.
Based on confirmation of international tournaments this fall, a pre-international training block will be likely held in September in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Additional training camps, domestic tournaments and demonstrations may be added at a later date.
All athletes, regardless of age/gender/classifiable disability, are invited to participate in USA Volleyball beach ParaVolley training camps. Athletes for our domestic demonstrations will be selected by invitation, though all classifiable athletes who indicate interest/availability will be considered.
To register for one of the three training camps, click here. Participation and registration fees specific to each camp are included in the online registration.
For additional information, contact Michelle Goodall at Michelle.Goodall@usav.org.