The Cook Islands under-18 beach volleyball team left Rarotonga on Tuesday with head coach Brendon Heath to compete in the Oceania U18 Beach Volleyball Championships in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Cook Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) development coordinator Jackie Rongo says the Oceania U18 Beach Volleyball Championships is an initiative borne out of a desire to focus on developing beach volleyball, especially for the smaller island nations that make up Oceania.

A collaborated partnership between Oceania Volleyball (OZVA), the international volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity were fundamental in creating the inaugural event.

Cook Islands Volleyball Federation president Robert Graham said they are pleased with this event, a positive step forward by Oceania, as other regions are still developing their U18 beach volleyball programmes.

Graham said that Oceania has taken the lead and this is the first competition – “a first of the many upcoming competitions”.

He said they had many junior athletes preparing for the competition, and wished the selected players the very best.

Hugh Graham, Cook Islands Volleyball’s international relations coordinator, was instrumental in making this event a reality.

According to Hugh, the president of Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association and executive vice president of Federation de Internationale Volleyball, “It has taken us a few years to make this happen and we are thankful for the support of FIVB Honorary Life President Dr Ary Graca and newly elected FIVB President Fabio Azevedo for their support of Oceania Volleyball.”

He said the geographical area of Oceania volleyball is vast and communicating with some of their remote members has been a challenge.

“However, we are excited that of the 17 NOCs of Oceania, only four were not able to send teams,” Hugh said.

“A total of 13 female and 17 male teams will participate. It is intended that this beach volleyball event will be an annual event within the Oceania Volleyball calendar of events.

“We would like to acknowledge the support of FIVB and Olympic Solidarity for this Championship, looking forward to this being an annual event.”

Rongo said players Zachari Tuatai and Tamaika Tanielu have been working hard with coach Heath over the last eight weeks after trials completed for eligible and available athletes.

“It’s a young development side accessing this first U18 opportunity for Oceania, and we hope we can continue to grow interest in beach volleyball in our country.”

Rongo added that they will also continue to look for eligible youth in the Pa Enua and overseas for future events.

Those keen to register into CIVF’s database are encouraged to email their New Zealand passport bio page and Cook Islands stamp to

cookislandsvolleyball.civf@gmail.com for upcoming opportunities to trial and represent Cook Islands.