The FIVB Empowerment Initiative showcased its impact at the recent Nuvali Futures Beach Volleyball Finals, where supported teams triumphed in both the men’s and women’s events. Held in the Philippines, the tournament brought together top emerging talent and highlighted the progress of national programs fostering growth in international beach volleyball.
Historic Wins for Slovakia and New Zealand
In an electrifying men’s final, Slovakia’s Lubos Nemec and Adrian Petruf made history by earning their country’s first ever Beach Pro Tour medal. They defeated the Israeli duo of Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov in a nerve-racking three-set match with scores of 21-15, 18-21, 19-17.
On the women’s side, New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald dominated the tournament. They went on an unbeaten run, winning all five matches and conceding only one set, concluding with a 21-18, 21-14 victory over Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame.
Strong Showing from FIVB-Supported Nations
The podium also included outstanding performances from:
- Latvia's Olivers Bulgacs and Markuss Graudins – Men's bronze medalists
- Lithuania’s Ieva Dumbauskaite and Gerda Grudzinskaite – Women's bronze medalists
What these teams share in common is targeted support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, which includes funding for coaching, athlete development, and essential equipment. This structured support is helping national federations make sizable strides in global competition.
Global Participation and Future Prospects
The Nuvali Futures drew participation from 48 teams representing 19 countries. As part of the FIVB Beach Pro Tour, the event demonstrated how investment-driven development is elevating team performances.
- Slovakia’s first gold reflects strategic development.
- New Zealand maintains a consistent upward trajectory.
- Future tours in Italy and Spain aim to expand this success.
These positive trends underscore how thoughtful investment by international bodies can empower nations seeking to compete at elite levels in beach volleyball.
Read more about the event on the official FIVB website.
