VANUATU MAKING GENUINE NET GAINS
The small island nation might not be a powerhouse in the world of beach volleyball but Vanuatu is producing plenty of talented players who want their shot on the sand in 2018 as EMMA GREENWOOD found out.
IT may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Vanuatu but beach volleyball is a perfect fit for the South Pacific Ocean island nation.
Australia is expected to be a juggernaut when beach volleyball makes its Commonwealth Games debut on the Gold Coast next year while Vanuatu is a minnow, having never won a medal in nine Games appearances.
That could change next year though, with the country’s beach volleyballers having made several trips to the Gold Coast to hone their skills ahead of next April’s competition.
Rising stars Sherysyn Toko and Loti Joe took part in training and competition in a visit to the Coast this week, playing an exhibition against an Australian combination at Surfers Paradise.
The pair, who represented Vanuatu at the under-21 world championships in Switzerland last year, are among a new wave of volleyballers from the island nation gunning for a Games spot on the Coast next year.
“This is practice for the Commonwealths, so we came here to improve ourselves,” Toko said.
“We would like to be here.”
The next month is crucial for the players, with the top four nations at the end of October earning automatic entry to the Games. While Australia has already earnt a spot as host nation, the next four best ranked countries in the Commonwealth at the end of the month will seal their Games places.
Five more countries will qualify through continental zone playoffs, with Games organisers awarding two wildcards, for an eventual field of 12.
Former Australian representative Shannon Zunker has had a long-term relationship with Vanuatu, starting when he ran beach volleyball programs out of Bond University that attracted several Pacific nations.
“I’m very excited about being involved (with Vanuatu) and having the Games at home and everything that goes with that,” Gold Coaster Zunker said.
“We’re confident we will be there ... we really would like that top four spot because we don’t want to meet the big guns of Canada and Australia until potentially a semi-final.
“We do have a cracking chance at a medal and that would maximise that chance.”
While Joe and Toko are emerging international players, Vanuatu’s best chance is likely to lie with the experienced combination of Linline Matauatu and Miller Pata, who juggle their mothering and athletic duties.
THEIR LIFE HURDLES ARE MUCH GREATER (THAN MANY OTHER ATHLETES). IT’S WARMING AND IT’S GREAT TO SEE ... SHANNON ZUNKER
“Our top athlete (Pata) had a baby because it fit with forward planning for Tokyo but she has had that baby and she’s rapidly trying to get herself ready,” Zunker said.
“(Matauatu) has just got a niggling injury at the moment and we’re resting her.
“But (Joe and Toko) went to the world championships recently and played phenomenally, so they’re competitive with Australia’s senior athletes at 20 and 19 years of age.
“They tend to pick up the sport quickly, it’s just having the access to the technical side and knowledge and the coaching is what will push that country forward.” Zunker will relish the beach volleyball action next April if he is able to see those he has helped overcome many obstacles to represent their country.
“There’s a number of hurdles that when you see them on this greater stage it deserves recognition because it’s not as simple as they got identified, they’re in a program, they’re good,” he said.
“Their life hurdles are much greater (than many other athletes). It’s warming and it’s great to see and it’s really good for international sports to have those countries coming through.”