Natalie Gazzard walked away from Tortola with a medal around her neck and three individual trophies in her arms — but ask her about it and the story isn't about herself at all.
Bermuda won the 2026 ECVA Women's Volleyball Championship, a run that opened with a five-sets against defending champions Saint. Lucia. When the dust settled, Natalie was named the tournament's Female MVP.
We spoke with her about the run, the road that got her there and what's next. Grab a minute — this one's worth the read. 🏐🇧🇲
On the moment it was announced:
"I was honestly just elated that we had won the tournament. As a team, we've been working towards this for the past few years and came up short the last two times, so finally reaching that goal together meant the most to me. The individual awards are an incredible honor, but they belong to my teammates just as much as they do to me. I wouldn't have been in a position to receive them without the work we put in as a team."
On the five-set battle with Saint. Lucia:
"My team is filled with incredible athletes who are all so passionate about the sport. Playing the defending champions in our first match was definitely nerve-racking, but we were able to stay composed and persevere. It's hard to point to one specific turning point, but after going down in the first set, we showed incredible resilience. It would have been easy to shut down, but we stayed together, trusted our game plan, and executed when it mattered. I think that match really showed the fight and determination this team has."
On where it all started, in Devonshire:
"I was fortunate to grow up in a family with a passion for volleyball, so I was exposed to the sport early through my dad and uncles, who all played. I joined the BVA's Paradise Hitters at 11 and played with them until I graduated in 2023. I had some incredible coaches, both locally and from overseas, who really shaped my love for the game. There wasn't one moment when I realized I was good at it. It was a combination of the competition, experiences, and friendships that kept pushing me to improve."
On what the sport has given her, beyond the court:
"This past year, I played at the Tri Campus level at U of T rather than the varsity level. Sports have helped make me a well rounded individual, and I believe the same attributes that make you successful on the court can make you successful off the court. Volleyball has taught me the importance of friendship, commitment, hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and setting goals. These are lessons I know I'll carry with me throughout life."
On what's next:
"As I return to school for my final year, I plan to continue playing and developing my game. For the Bermuda women's team, we're setting our sights on the 2027 Island Games in the Faroe Islands and returning to the ECVA Final Four next year. We're grateful for every opportunity to represent Bermuda and can't wait to get back on the court together."
Congratulations, Natalie — and congratulations, Bermuda women's volleyball. The gold is history. The next chapter starts now. 🇧🇲🏐
#ECVA2026 #TeamBermuda #MVP
