Last week the Volleyball WA Junior Beach State Teams returned home from Coolangatta after representing Western Australia in the 2020 Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships.  

WA had 18 teams competing in the event, made up of 9 girls teams and 9 boys teams. After five days of rigorous hand-washing and avoiding high-fives with teams from other states, Team WA still managed to keep their focus on the game and returned home on Wednesday with three medals.

Congratulations to the WA medal winners:

• U17 Girls Gold Medal – Elizabeth Alchin & Caitlin Whincup
• U17 Girls Bronze Medal – Cassie Dodd & Alexia Zammit
• U16 Boys Bronze Medal – Danyl Mathews & Sebastian Northmore

The four U17 girls above are part of a group that has been bringing home medals year after year in both beach and indoor volleyball. Between the School Sport WA 15 & Under Nationals, Australian Junior Volleyball Championships and Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships, it is hard to keep up with their achievements over the past few years.

U17 Girls Coach, Shelby Maher is also no stranger to winning. This past season, Maher has won every Alcohol Think Again Beach Tour round that she played in, with a different partner each time. It is safe to say that with this combination of winners, medals were bound to be collected.  

While the medals were an excellent finishing touch to the week, it was the feeling of team culture and support that made the trip so memorable for the WA Head of Delegation, Jackie Tamburri.

“I’ve been around the sport for a few years now in WA, and this year it really felt like there was a change in team culture. It was so exciting to see how well the entire group of coaches and athletes gelled together and how much support was provided between the teams throughout the week.” Said Tamburri.

It was not an easy week to travel interstate in the midst of a pandemic, but the WA delegation did not lose sight of their goals.

“It was great to see the kids rocking up to each game with a competitive attitude and willingness to learn from each opportunity.” Said Maher.

Throughout the event it also rained almost every day at random, and forced the athletes to be adaptable each game.

“Nothing really phased or distracted the kids. Not the unpredictable weather, the long flight the day before competition, or even the Coronavirus. They continued to act profressional and remain in good spirits for the entire trip.” Added Maher.

Congraluations to all 43 athletes and 10 coaches that represented Western Australia with pride.

For more information about State Teams, please contact the Volleyball WA State Teams & Events Coordinator at stateteams@volleyballwa.com.au.