The Vanuatu Women’s Beach Volleyball team is aiming to become the first
Pacific team to participate in two consecutive Beach Volleyball World
Championships.
In just four years, the team
has risen from a world ranking of 350th in 2009, to finishing 9th
at the 2013 FIVB World Championships in Poland. We would like to continue this
trend and get the girls to the 2015 FIVB World Championships in the Netherlands. Unlike
many other countries, we do not have a funded National Beach Volleyball program
and therefore rely heavily on community support and fundraising to attend
international events.
The Vanuatu Beach Volleyball Girls
are a shining light for what women can achieve by challenging the status quo in
this Pacific Island country. They act as role models in their local communities,
showing how women can achieve their dreams and empowering young girls to work
hard and aim high. The team has also received the prestigious ‘Outstanding
Pacific Team of the year’ award for 2012 and 2013, granted by the Pacific
Sports Council. An article by UNICEF was recently written about them, check
it out here http://unicefpacific.blogspot.ch/2014/09/little-beginnings.html?spref=fb&m=1.
To qualify for the World Championships, the girls
must travel to play in many international events around the globe to ensure
they have a world ranking inside the top 36. Airfares for these events are the
biggest cost but coaching fees, accommodation, event entry fees and visas also
add to the overall cost. On average, each event the girls participate in costs
around $10,000AUD for a team of two and coach.
We will be running![]()
a 2,000 for $20
to 2015 campaign where we are aiming for 2,000 people to donate $20 each to
raise $40,000AUD which will help get the girls to enough overseas events to
qualify for the 2015 World Championships. Of course, feel
free to donate amounts larger than $20.
Those who choose to support the Vanuatu Girls are not only supporting their ascent to the
highest level of beach volleyball in the world, they are also supporting
positive change for women and girls in Vanuatu and the Pacific.
