Recent European zonal championships in beach volleyball have demonstrated the tangible impact of strategic investment in youth development. Across tournaments held in Spain and Latvia, young athletes representing national federations supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program secured numerous top positions, including a clean sweep of the gold medals at the Eastern European Volleyball Zonal Association (EEVZA) events.
WEVZA U20 Championships: Dutch Dominance in Spain
The WEVZA U20 Beach Volleyball Championships, hosted in Lorca, Spain, saw impressive performances, particularly from the Netherlands. Both the men`s and women`s gold medals were claimed by Dutch teams. Nigella Negenman and Esmee Radstake took the women`s title after a hard-fought final, while Tom Sonneville and Bram van Der Wel triumphed in the men`s competition.
The Netherlands Volleyball Federation (NEVOBO) is a beneficiary of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, receiving support aimed at strengthening their national beach volleyball teams, notably through coaching expertise. This investment appears to be yielding results on the sand, as evidenced by these podium finishes at the U20 level.
EEVZA U18 and U16 Championships: Baltic and Ukrainian Success in Latvia
The EEVZA U18 and U16 Beach Volleyball Championships in Cesis, Latvia, became a showcase for talent from Eastern European nations benefiting from the Empowerment program. Teams from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine collectively secured *all* the gold medals contested across the four categories.
In the U18 events, Latvia`s home advantage paid off with Monika Mamaja and Alise Aleksane winning the women`s gold. The men`s U18 title went to Estonia`s Armin Kender and Patrik Parijogi. Moving to the U16 category, Latvia struck gold again with Milana Tina Aleksejeva and Karlina Berzina in the women`s tournament, while Lithuania`s Tautvydas Galubickas and Rokas Lukosevicius secured the men`s U16 crown.
Beyond the gold, teams from these four Empowerment-supported federations also earned multiple silver and bronze medals, highlighting a broad base of developing talent within these countries. Notably, Ukraine`s teams achieved podium finishes, demonstrating resilience and continued development despite challenging circumstances, supported by ongoing assistance through a Memorandum of Understanding with the FIVB since 2022.
The Impact of Empowerment on Youth Development
These championship results serve as a clear indicator of the positive effects of targeted development programs. The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment initiative provides crucial resources – from coach support and knowledge transfer to essential equipment – to national federations with the aim of fostering growth across all levels of the sport.
Investing in youth categories is fundamental for building a strong future in beach volleyball. The success witnessed in Spain and Latvia validates this approach, showing that strategic financial and technical support can directly translate into enhanced performance on the competitive stage. It appears that directing resources towards coaching and athlete development isn`t merely an expenditure; it`s a mechanism for cultivating competitive talent effectively.
Looking Ahead
The achievements of these young athletes at the zonal level are promising signs for the future. As they progress through the age groups, the foundational support provided by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program will be instrumental in their continued development, potentially paving their way to compete at higher international levels. These victories are a testament to the potential unlocked when talent is met with structured support and investment.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham