Teams from 10 territories will compete in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Under-21 Beach Championship, June 6-8 in Saint Kitts & Nevis. For Saint Lucia, the accomplished duo of Rio Victor and Peter Emmanuel will contest the men’s title, whilst Ericka Gaspard and Clio Phillip will compete in the women’s draw.
Victor and Emmanuel are back on familiar territory, having won the ECVA Under-19 title two years ago in North Frigate Bay. The inaugural edition of the tournament in 2023 was supported by world governing body Federation de Internationale Volleyball and the International Olympic Committee through Olympic Solidarity and the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation. Nine teams took part in the U19 event.
In 2024, Victor and Emmanuel went undefeated as champions of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association and ECVA Beach Under-19 World Championships Qualification Tournament. They defeated the pair from Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 in Black Rock, Tobago, and secured their tickets to the main draw of the FIVB World Championship in China.
The women’s team of Gaspard and Phillip has not been quite as accomplished in this format. They were both part of the Saint Lucia team that defeated Bermuda 3-0 in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda last year, winning the final of the 2024 ECVA Women’s Indoor Championship.
The 2025 ECVA U21 Beach Championship will showcase the talents of young athletes from across the region, promoting sportsmanship and competition. The top three positions in both genders will qualify for the NORCECA World Championship Qualifier Tournament, which will take place in Punta Cana from July 3rd to 7th.
The previous championship was held last year in North Frigate Bay, where Anguilla’s Lavesha Richardson and Deandra Fleming emerged victorious in the women’s category, while Dominica’s Bill Frederick and Mervin Mingo claimed the title in the men’s division.
In a recent interview, ECVA president Glenn Quinlan shared insights into the upcoming championship: “Most of the registered players have prior experience in this tournament, having participated in the 2023 event, we anticipate a high level of competition with many returning players, and team St. Eustatius who will also be joining the competition with a female team, further expanding participation and fostering regional talent which will make the event even more exciting.”
