Developing talent and strong teams are featured in the beach volleyball competition as the sport continues to grow in popularity.

The beach volleyball competition is the final event of the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games, currently underway at the National Beach Courts in Nikao.

Fourteen women’s and 12 men’s teams are showcasing good skills and potential, and bringing fresh fun energy to the beach courts.

The beach volleyball competition will conclude with the games on Saturday.

Cook Islands Volleyball Federation president Robert Graham says although the level of this competition is not like the Cook Islands Games and more social, “there are some good talent, really good individual players out there, and really good teams as well”.

The Vero Vodafone and Vili’s Burger Joint /Titikaveka Bulldogs men’s beach volleyball team join arms after their game won by Vero. MELINA ETCHES/25011620

With the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to be held in Koror, Palau, from June 29 to July 9, 2025, Graham said they are looking at sending a Cook Islands men and women’s volleyball team to this event.

There is also an Under 18 competition in the Solomon Islands in April this year.

“There has been a couple of Under 18 boys we’ll have a look at, the more they play, the better they become,” said Graham.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Beach Touch and 3x3 Basketball were played at the Nikao Beach Courts and the National Sports Arena.

Tonight, the men’s volleyball will play their finals. The women will play their finals tomorrow from 12 noon to 1.30pm.

Following the women’s finals, the medal presentation will be held with prizes sponsored by Vodafone Cook Islands.

“We are very lucky that Vodafone is our major sponsor and are giving out good prizes this year,” said Graham.