Congratulations to Participants of the Beach Volleyball Referee Courses
Marriott, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts,- July 12 2026
The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) extends heartfelt congratulations to all participants who successfully took part in the recent Beach Volleyball National Referee Course and the Beach Volleyball International Continental Referee Course held at the Marriott, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts.
Organized by ECVA, the National Referee Course was led by instructors Julian Seraphine and Keam Charlery, and coordinated by Reginald Willemsberg. Participants benefitted from comprehensive classroom sessions, valuable practical experience during the championship, and were awarded certificates recognizing their successful completion of the course.
The International Continental Referee Course, instructed by Keith Murlless (USA) on site, with Andre Trottier (CAN) joining virtually and Rogol Mills (SKN/PUR) assisting on site, delivered high-level training aimed at elevating the standard of beach volleyball officiating across the region. Participants who met the course requirements received certificates in recognition of their achievement and commitment to professional officiating.
ECVA commends all referees who invested their time and effort to enhance their skills and deepen their understanding of the game. Your dedication strengthens the sport of beach volleyball in St. Kitts and Nevis, the wider Caribbean, and beyond.
Once again, congratulations to all participants. ECVA looks forward to seeing your continued growth and contributions on the sand in future local, regional, and international competitions.
The ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship showcased the rising talent of Caribbean beach volleyball, as teams from across the region delivered thrilling performances and passionate displays of national pride on the sands of St Kitts & Nevis.
The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) proudly congratulates the medalists and podium finishers:
Men’s Medalists
🥇 Gold – Saint Lucia
🥈 Silver – Dominica
🥉 Bronze – St Kitts & Nevis
Women’s Medalists
🥇 Gold – Bermuda
🥈 Silver – St Kitts & Nevis
🥉 Bronze – Saint Lucia
These young athletes have proven that the future of beach volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean is bright.
#ECVA #ECVAU20 #BeachVolleyball #CaribbeanVolleyball
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis – July 12, 2026 – The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development following the successful staging of the 2026 ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Across three days of intense action at the Marriott Resort in St. Kitts & Nevis, the region’s top U20 male beach volleyball athletes battled on the sand, delivering fast-paced, high-energy matches.
In the men’s competition, Saint Lucia captured the gold medal, Dominica secured silver, and St. Kitts & Nevis earned bronze, reflecting the increasing depth and balance of talent within the region.
Saint Lucia’s duo of Emmanuel/Clarke claimed the gold medal after a closely contested final against Dominica’s pairing of Tahj/Caiston, winning 2–0 (21–18, 21–19). The Saint Lucian pair demonstrated composure under pressure, smart offensive decision-making, and disciplined defensive organization throughout the tournament, reinforcing Saint Lucia’s growing stature in regional youth beach volleyball.
Dominica’s Tahj/Caiston earned the silver medal, pushing the eventual champions in both sets with aggressive serving and strong teamwork. Their performance in the final, as well as throughout the championship, underscored the strength of Dominica’s youth volleyball development program and the potential of its emerging athletes on the sand.
Host nation St. Kitts & Nevis rounded out the podium with a bronze-medal finish, showcasing the depth of its national beach volleyball program and the promise of its young male athletes.
Speaking after their gold medal victory, Saint Lucia’s Emmanuel/Clarke said:
“A lot of hard work went into this. It was a tough match, and we’re really happy with the win. We’re very grateful for the support and proud to represent Saint Lucia.”
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis – July 12, 2026 – The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development following the successful staging of the 2026 ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Across three days of intense competition at the Marriott Resort, St. Kitts & Nevis, emerging athletes from across the region delivered high-caliber performances in the women’s division. The event underscored ECVA’s ongoing efforts to provide meaningful competitive opportunities, foster technical growth and support the next generation of beach volleyball players.
In the women’s competition, Bermuda captured the gold medal, host nation St. Kitts & Nevis earned silver, and Saint Lucia secured bronze, highlighting the depth of talent within the region.
Bermuda’s duo of Gazzard/Sousa claimed the gold medal after a hard-fought victory over St. Kitts & Nevis, winning 2–1 (21-16, 11-21, 15-11). The pair displayed exceptional focus, effective serving and disciplined defense throughout the tournament, reinforcing Bermuda’s growing reputation for strong performances in regional youth beach volleyball.
Representing the host nation, Alwani/Pinney of St. Kitts & Nevis thrilled the home crowd with confident, high-energy play en route to the silver medal, showcasing both their potential and the strength of the local development program.
The bronze medal went to Abigail/Desir of Saint Lucia, who demonstrated resilience and a strong competitive spirit in their 2–0 (21–7, 21–18) victory over St. Kitts & Nevis’ pairing of Amritt/Browne. Their performance emphasized Saint Lucia’s continued emergence as a competitive force in regional beach volleyball.
Speaking after their victory, Sousa/Gazzard stated:
“We are very happy. It was a highly challenging competition, and we had to rely on each other throughout the entire game.”
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis, 2026 – Defending men’s champions Dominica will continue their title defence in the semifinals of the ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship. Teams from Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Lucia secured their places in the men’s final four.
Dominica’s pair of Tahj and Caiston were in dominant form in the men’s draw. They first overpowered the British Virgin Islands’ Miranda/Young 2–0 (21–5, 21–13) in the Round of 12, then held off St. Kitts & Nevis 1’s Williams/Rennix 2–0 (22–20, 21–18) in the quarterfinals. They will meet Antigua & Barbuda’s Lugo/Freeland in one of Sunday’s semifinals.
Lugo and Freeland of Antigua & Barbuda also impressed, claiming a straight-sets quarterfinal win over the British Virgin Islands’ Wheatley/Fahie 2–0 (21–19, 21–18) to book their semifinal berth.
In the other men’s semifinal, host nation St. Kitts & Nevis will be represented by Troy and Pencheon, who produced a convincing 2–0 (21–12, 21–16) quarterfinal victory over St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Frederick/Alexander. They will face St. Lucia’s Emmanuel and Clarke, who advanced with a composed 2–0 (21–14, 21–13) win against St. Kitts & Nevis 4’s Edwards/Levine.
On the women’s side, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and Bermuda all advanced to the semifinals after a series of hard-fought quarterfinal battles on Day 2.
The women’s event will see two home teams from St. Kitts & Nevis in the semifinals, alongside contenders from St. Lucia and Bermuda.
St. Kitts & Nevis pair Alwani and Pinney secured their place with a solid 2–0 (21–18, 21–11) quarterfinal victory over Grenada’s Agard/George. Their compatriots Amritt and Browne also advanced in dominant fashion, sweeping Antigua & Barbuda’s Burnette/Gibson 2–0 (21–14, 21–11) after winning an all-St. Kitts & Nevis round of 12 encounter against Woodley/Evelyn 2–0 (21–17, 21–12).
St. Lucia’s Abigail and Desir completed a hard-fought comeback to reach the semifinals, defeating St Eustatius's Gibbs/Pieternella 2–1 (16–21, 21–15, 15–8). Bermuda’s Gazzard and Sousa earned the remaining semifinal place with a composed 2–0 (21–19, 21–15) quarterfinal win over St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Nayelli/Reanna.
The men’s and women’s semifinals are scheduled for Sunday, as the ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship in St. Kitts & Nevis moves into its decisive phase.
Frigate Bay, St. Kitts – July 11 2026, the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U20 Beach Volleyball Championship served off today at Marriott Beach, Frigate Bay, with the first day of preliminary round action highlighted by strong performances from hosts St Kitts & Nevis, alongside standout showings from Bermuda, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda and St Lucia.
St Kitts & Nevis is represented in force at this year’s championship, fielding four U20 teams in both the men’s and women’s categories. The hosts delivered multiple victories in both divisions, including several hard‑fought three‑set matches, demonstrating resilience and benefiting from passionate home support. On the men’s side, St Kitts & Nevis impressed with key wins over Anguilla, Bermuda, Dominica, Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands and St Vincent & the Grenadines, underscoring their status as leading contenders in the preliminaries.
In the women’s competition, Bermuda and St Vincent & the Grenadines produced notable opening‑day performances, combining convincing wins with composure in tight moments. Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda also registered important preliminary‑round victories, contributing to a deep and competitive women’s field.
At the close of the first day of preliminaries, four group leaders emerged in each category, Men’s group leaders, St Kitts & Nevis 1, St Kitts & Nevis 2, St Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda. Women’s group leaders, St Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda and St Kitts & Nevis 1.
These early front-runners have set the competitive tone for the championship and signalled their intentions heading into the remaining matches.
The opening day showcased U20 talent within the ECVA zone, with athletes displaying technical skills, tactical awareness and fighting spirit on the sand. The tournament continues tomorrow Day 2 at Marriott Beach, Frigate Bay, as teams battle for advancement, group supremacy and regional honours.
ECVA Celebrates Completion of FIVB Beach Volleyball Coaches Courses
The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) hosted a certificate ceremony this evening at the Marriott Hotel to recognize participants of the FIVB Beach Volleyball Coaches Course and the Advanced Beach Volleyball Course, staged this week in conjunction with the 2026 ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Tournament.
Glenn Quinlan, President of ECVA, presided over the event, highlighting its importance to the region’s volleyball development pathway. Also in attendance were Dennis “Freddie” Knight, NOC President and member of the PanAm Sports Executive Board, and instructors Mark Kontopoulos and Rick Bevis.
The courses were led by FIVB Instructor and internationally recognized coach educator Mark Kontopoulos, and Rick Bevis whose guidance provided participants with modern coaching methodologies, enhanced technical and tactical understanding and elevated standards of officiating in beach volleyball.
The week blended classroom and on-sand sessions, reinforcing both professional competence and the values of leadership, integrity and service to athletes.
“Development will always remain at the heart of ECVA’s mission,” ECVA President affirmed. “By investing in our coaches we invest directly in our athletes and the future of volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean.”
Running the courses alongside the 2026 ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Tournament created a dynamic learning environment, allowing participants to see elite youth competition, apply new concepts in real time and share best practices across the region.
As ECVA continues to prioritize capacity-building, the Association remains firmly committed to ensuring that every stakeholder—athletes, coaches, referees and administrators—has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential.
The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) kicked off activities for the ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship with its official Technical Meeting on Thursday July 9, 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, Frigate Bay.
This important pre-tournament meeting brought together team representatives, officials, referees and organizers to finalize competition protocols, review tournament regulations and confirm match schedules ahead of three thrilling days of action on the sand.
From July 10–12, fourteen (14) male and female teams from across the ECVA region will battle for U20 beach volleyball supremacy on the beautiful beaches of St. Kitts. Fans can look forward to three days of intense rallies, big serves and exciting matchups as the next generation of Caribbean beach volleyball stars compete for the championship title.
Adding even more prestige to this year’s event, the championship will also serve as a practical evaluation platform for:
These referees and coaches will be on-site completing their practical sessions in a world-class, live competition environment, further elevating the standard and professionalism of the tournament.
Tournament format:
Spectators and supporters are invited to come out to Frigate Bay and cheer on their teams, enjoy top-level U20 beach volleyball and experience the energy and excitement of regional sport at its best.
Match times, daily schedules and live updates will be shared on our official ECVA platforms and website ecvolleyball.com
Stay tuned, stay engaged and get ready—ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball action serves off tomorrow in St. Kitts!
Frigate Bay, St. Kitts – The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) 2026 Beach Volleyball Championship officially got underway on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, at the Marriott Resort, Frigate Bay, with team check-in, preliminary activities and
uniform inspections.
National teams from Grenada (GRN), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN), Saint Lucia (LCA), Dominica (DMA), Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), Saint Eustatius (EUX), St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN), Anguilla (AGU), Sint Maarten (SXM), the British Virgin
Islands (IVB) and Bermuda (BER) are on island and ready to compete for regional beach volleyball supremacy.
The championship, scheduled for July 10–12, 2026, will feature some of the Eastern Caribbean’s top beach volleyball talent in an action-packed weekend of competition, as athletes battle for the coveted ECVA Beach Volleyball Championship title.
The official match schedule will be finalized and released on Thursday, 9 July 2026, during the mandatory Technical Meeting. At that time, team representatives and officials will confirm pool compositions, match times and competition procedures for
the weekend tournament.
“With all teams now on site and fully checked in, we are ready for a thrilling championship,” said ECVA President Glenn Quinlan. “Marriott Frigate Bay provides a world-class backdrop for this event, and we anticipate high-level competition, great
sportsmanship and strong support from fans here in St. Kitts and across the region.” Spectators can look forward to three days of intense rallies, powerful serves and dynamic beach action as the participating islands vie for ECVA glory under the
Caribbean sun.
Further updates, including detailed match schedules and results, will be shared following Thursday’s Technical Meeting and throughout the tournament.
ECVA U-20 Beach Volleyball Championship Set for Frigate Bay, St. Kitts
July 10–12, 2026
Frigate Bay, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts Amateur Volleyball Association (SKAVA), in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) and the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, will host the 2026 ECVA U-20 Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship from July 10–12, 2026, on the sands of Frigate Bay.
This zonal championship will bring together the top U-20 men’s and women’s beach volleyball pairs from across the Eastern Caribbean, showcasing the next generation of talent. All matches will be played under the current FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules of the Game.
The official competition ball will be the MIKASA BV550C. Matches are expected to run throughout each day, giving fans and visitors ample opportunity to enjoy high-level beach volleyball in one of the region’s most scenic coastal settings.
Eleven ECVA member territories are expected to participate:
Grenada (GRN), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN), Saint Lucia (LCA), Dominica (DMA), Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), Sint Eustatius (EUX), St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN), Anguilla (AGU), Sint Maarten (SXM), British Virgin Islands (IVB), Bermuda (BER)
The 2026 ECVA U-20 Beach Volleyball Championship will serve as a key development platform for young athletes and a boost for local sport tourism.
The event is being staged with the valuable support of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES), the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), alongside ECVA, NORCECA, and SKAVA.
ECVA President Glenn Quinlan underscored the importance of this partnership and investment in youth development, stating:
“ECVA is extremely grateful for the continuing support of ANOCES, the FIVB, and the SKNOC. Their commitment allows us not only to stage a high-quality championship, but also to create meaningful development opportunities for our young athletes. Events like the ECVA U-20 Beach Volleyball Championship are critical stepping stones in the pathway from grassroots to the elite level. Each edition strengthens our programmes, exposes our players and coaches to higher standards of competition, and helps to build a sustainable future for volleyball throughout the Eastern Caribbean.”
For updates on match times, participating teams, and event activities, please follow the official ECVA website and social media platforms.
Rick is a nationally recognized Canadian coach and educator. His teams and athletes have won multiple National Championships in both indoor and beach volleyball. Rick is currently a Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Instructor for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.
Rick is also a coach educator and evaluator for Volleyball Canada. In addition to leading the athlete and coach development programs for the past two years in St Kitts at the ECVA U20 Championships, previous coaching and athlete development projects have sent him to Belize, Cayman Islands and Nicaragua.
Rick is currently posted in Bermuda as a Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) empowerment coach with the Bermuda Volleyball Association. Rick is an honorary research associate in the Department of Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University, after a recently completed 34 years in post-secondary education.
His teaching expertise includes applied leadership in sport and physical activity, coaching pedagogy and performance psychology. His applied research centers around the youth sport experience and focusses primarily on the emerging elite athlete.
Keam Charlery (LCA) is a distinguished International Beach Volleyball Referee whose career reflects dedication, technical excellence, and a lifelong commitment to the development of volleyball at the national, regional, and international levels. His journey in the sport began at an early age, sparked by a passion developed during his primary school years and nurtured throughout secondary school and university. This enduring enthusiasm has shaped a multifaceted career as a referee, coach, administrator, and technical official.
Mr. Charlery’s officiating career commenced in 2002, progressing steadily through the ranks from ball retriever to certified line judge, scorer, second referee, and ultimately first referee. His commitment to continuous development led him to complete the International Beach Volleyball Nomination Course in Santo Domingo in 2012. His first NORCECA tournament was in Saint Lucia that year then also in the same year, he officiated his first NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tournament outside of Saint Lucia in Aruba, marking the beginning of his international refereeing career.
In 2014, Mr. Charlery made his debut at the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) level at a Beach Volleyball Tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. His competence and professionalism were further demonstrated when he was selected to referee at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, also in 2014. In recognition of his growing experience and expertise, he officially received his FIVB certification as an International Beach Volleyball Referee in 2016.
Since then, Mr. Charlery has officiated at numerous high-profile international tournaments across the Americas. These include FIVB events in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; the Fort Lauderdale Major and Las Vegas in the United States; and Edmonton, Canada. His regional assignments have included the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit in Bonaire in 2024 and Guadalajara, Mexico in 2025, as well as the CAZOVA and ECVA U19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago in 2024.
Mr. Charlery has also contributed significantly to youth and developmental competitions. He officiated at the U23 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 and has been a regular official for the Eastern Caribbean Beach Volleyball Circuit in Saint Lucia from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, he has served as a referee at underage beach volleyball competitions in Saint Kitts from 2023 through 2025.
Beyond officiating, Mr. Charlery is a certified Level 2 Volleyball Coach and Beach Volleyball Coach. He has represented Saint Lucia as a coach at both regional volleyball and beach volleyball events, most notably serving as a Beach Volleyball Coach at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, in 2014. He remains actively involved in the sport as a member of the Jet Setters Volleyball Club in Saint Lucia.
Mr. Charlery’s leadership and service extend into volleyball administration. He has held executive roles within Volleyball Saint Lucia Inc., serving as both a floor member and Vice President. In 2025, he was appointed to the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Beach Volleyball Commission and currently serves as a member of the ECVA Volleyball Information Systems (VIS) Technical Team.
Through over two decades of service, Keam Charlery has established himself as a respected official and advocate for volleyball development. His career embodies professionalism, mentorship, and a steadfast commitment to advancing beach volleyball across the Caribbean and internationally.
