New Zealand marked a historic milestone at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, with both its men's and women's teams qualifying for the first time in over a decade. For the women's side, Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald became the first female pair to reach the championship level since 2001.
Despite an opening loss to the USA’s Julia Donlin and Lexy Denaburg, Polley and MacDonald made an impressive comeback with wins over:
- Italy’s Valentina Gottardi & Reka Orsi Toth
- Canada’s Lea Monkhouse & Marie-Alex Bélanger
Their journey came to an end in the Round of 32 after a straight-sets loss to Germany’s Linda Bock & Louisa Lippmann. Nonetheless, their performance was a breakthrough moment for New Zealand beach volleyball.
On the men's side, the team of Brad Fuller and Ben O'Dea reintroduced New Zealand to the World Championship stage after a ten-year absence. Their involvement demonstrates the sport's growing momentum in a nation traditionally dominated by rugby.
Hosting the event in Oceania for the first time allowed local fans a rare opportunity to see world-class play up close. The championship also energized grassroots efforts across New Zealand, boosting national interest in beach volleyball.
Looking forward, both teams have set sights on the 2026 Beach Pro Tour. Polley and MacDonald, coming off a podium finish at the 2025 Xiamen Challenge, aim to translate their World Championship experience into deeper international success.
This upward trajectory is inspiring a new generation of athletes and is positioning New Zealand as a rising force in the global beach volleyball scene.
To learn more, visit the original article on FIVB.com.
