07 October, 2026
The Vanuatu Volleyball Federation continues its focus on youth development with four young athletes heading to the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championships being held in Cook Islands next week (13-16 Oct).
VVF is sending a womenâs and a menâs team to participate in both the U20s and Seniors competitions.
Under the watchful eye of National Coach Miller Pata, Preshila Korman, Julineth Nomokina, Ryan Tui and Fletcher Abel will represent as Team Vanuatu, with the men competing in the Senior/Open event and the women competing in the U20s tournament.
Fletcher (20) has some experience having competed at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau last year; while his teammates, all aged 19, less so, with Julineth having competed in the Australian Youth BV Championships earlier this year and Ryan and Preshila heading overseas to compete for the first time.
These four young athletes were selected from among the youth development squad which was established early in 2025, with VVF having recognised the importance of identifying and nurturing the sporting potential of Vanuatuâs young athletes, and the need to expose them to international experience.
For the 2026 OZVA BV event, there are 7 teams participating in the Womenâs U20 competition, divided into two pools; while there will be 10 teams competing in the Menâs Senior/Open competition, also divided into two pools.
The participation of Coach Pata and the four players has been made possible with funding from VVFs major sponsor Titan FX Vanuatu, continuing to support the growth and development of the national team and the youth development program.
Also heading to Raratonga with the team will be assistant national coach Manu Maki and VVF/V4C development officer Amelia Lawac who will each be participating in training courses as part of the Oceania Championships week: Maki undertaking the Oceania Volleyball Coaching Course and Lawac doing the Oceania Volleyball Refereeing Course. Maki will also support Pata and Team Vanuatu as part of the practical element of his coaching course. Their participation has been made possible through the FIVB Empowerment program supporting coaching and referee capacity building.
The Oceania Zonal BV Championships will release the tournament scheduling information closer to the date.
*Coverage of all these events, including match fixtures and results for both tournaments, will be posted on the Vanuatu Beach Facebook page over the course of the events.
ENDS
