New Zealand's volleyball community is celebrating a historic achievement as both its men's and women's national beach volleyball teams qualify for the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide. This milestone marks the first time in the nation's history that both squads will take part in this prestigious global event.
The women’s team, represented by Shaunna Polley and Olivia Macdonald, returns to the championship stage after a 24-year hiatus. Meanwhile, the men’s duo of Brad Fuller and Ben O’Dea has earned a spot for the first time in a decade. Their qualification underscores the remarkable transformation of the sport in New Zealand, driven by a strategic focus on international development and athlete support.
Key Drivers of Success
This dual qualification is largely attributed to the FIVB's Volleyball Empowerment programme, which has invested more than USD 460,000 into New Zealand beach volleyball since 2019. Support from this initiative has enabled:
- The hiring of full-time coaches
- Regular participation in international competitions
- The creation of a national high-performance training framework
Momentum Heading Into Adelaide
Polley and Macdonald bring momentum from their gold medal victory at the Beach Pro Tour in Xiamen. Fuller and O'Dea also made their mark with a win at the Beach Pro Tour Futures event in Mount Maunganui. These consistent performances underscore the depth and talent within the national programs.
Challenging Matches Ahead
The World Championships, scheduled for November 14–19 in Adelaide — the first to be hosted in Oceania — promises fierce competition. Venues include The Drive and Pinky Flat, with group stage matchups posing significant tests:
- Polley and Macdonald will face teams from the USA, Italy, and Canada
- Fuller and O’Dea are set to compete against Portugal, Cuba, and Benin
This dual team qualification showcases the success of a long-term development model and positions New Zealand as an emerging powerhouse in international beach volleyball.
