C E O ’ S M E S S A G E Beach bash
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Digital issue:
www.usavolleyball.org/mag C O R P O R A T E P A R T N E R S
WE HAD A NICE PARTY RECENTLY IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, TO CELEBRATE the expansion of USA Volleyball’s beach office, which now includes a first-class training facility for our athletes. As you’ll see in the pictorial that starts on page 38, the event was attended by many of the sport’s biggest names – among them, Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh Jennings, Todd Rogers, Phil Dalhausser, Dain Blanton, Kent Steffes and Karch Kiraly. Also on hand were silver medalists April Ross, Jen Kessy and Mike Dodd, and bronze medalist Holly McPeak. It was fitting that so many of the athletes who have been such a big part of USA’s rich beach
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history were there because they represent the level of excellence that we’re seeking to main- tain with the addition of resources like this dedicated beach office. For Phil, who hopes to qualify for this summer’s Rio Olympics and win another medal, the opportunity to train at a facility stocked with top-of-the-line equip- ment is “a privilege” – and a far cry from his days lifting weights in his own garage. The privilege extends beyond just those at
the top of our pyramid. Currently, USAV elite development players at the A1 level (top eight per gender, who receive direct support from the USOC and USAV) and A2 level (the next eight – those with at least 500 FIVB ranking points) have access to the Torrance facility or the train- ing rooms at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim, where our men’s and women’s indoor national teams train. With that access comes not only equipment but the expertise of our certified trainers and other support specialists. Going forward, our goal is to expand the
S P O N S O R S / S U P P L I E R S
reach of the Torrance and Anaheim facili- ties so we can accommodate all the players in our elite development program. Meanwhile, we will continue to work on a related goal – expanding beach playing opportunities for all the young athletes out there who are looking to get quality court time and challenging competition. The Junior Beach Tour, which offers tournaments to boys and girls ages 10 through 18, is in midseason right now with more than 55 events remaining. No matter where you live, chances are good there’s a tournament near you. From April 16 through the USA Volleyball Junior Beach Tour National Championships July 22-24 in Milwaukee, the tour will stop in 22 states across the country. For those with an eye on stepping up to our elite development beach programs, you’ll want
to check the beach High Performance section at
www.USAVolleyball.org for the tryout schedule. There are still plenty of opportunities across the country to attend a tryout, and that’s your ticket to a potential invite to our Selection Weekend, which will take place in Southern California May 27-30 at a site to be determined. The culmination of the HP beach season will be the USA Vol- leyball Beach High Performance Championships in Southern California July 13-17. A total of six age groups will compete: U13, U15, U17, U19, U21, U23. Check the website for updates on the specific location of this event. The importance of our ongoing expansion of beach competitions at the juniors’ level cannot
be overstated. Sean Scott, a retired beach pro who is now USA Volleyball’s director of beach national programs, summed it up nicely when he said: “When I was a kid, I just wanted to play.” That’s what we want you to do, too. Play. And no matter what level you’re at, you have our
L I C E N S I N G P A R T N E R S
commitment that we’ll continue working hard to provide you with the resources you need to do just that.
Doug Beal T R A I N I N G C E N T E R P A R T N E R S
PHOTO: PETER BROUILLET
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