The sand is calling again!
Volleyball Ireland’s High Performance Beach Programme officially begins its 2026 cycle with the launch of trials for the National Beach Academy, the cornerstone of our beach high-performance pathway.
Following significant progress across youth and senior beach competitions last season, this year represents another important step forward in building sustainable international success.
What is the National Beach Academy?
The National Beach Academy is designed to develop the high-performance pathway for Irish beach volleyball.
It is where athletes:
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Develop their potential through stage-appropriate goals
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Train in a structured, high-performance environment
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Prepare for international competition
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Become eligible for National Team selection
National teams for international competition will be selected from within this Academy group.
For players who are Irish-qualified and aspire to represent Ireland on the European stage, this is the starting point.
Focus on Youth – U17 & U19
While trials are open to Irish-qualified athletes of any age, priority will be given to athletes eligible for:
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U17 competition
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U19 competition
This focus reflects the clear international opportunity available in 2026.
This year’s qualification tournaments will take place in:
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Andorra (u19)
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Wales (u17)
Top-performing teams at these events will earn a place at next year’s European Championships.
Last season saw significant progress within these age groups and as a direct result, Ireland will send a Women’s team to the U20 European Championships in 2026. That achievement underlines the strength of the pathway and the opportunity available to committed athletes.
Training Structure
Athletes accepted into the Academy will train:
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Twice per week
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At the Sport Ireland Campus
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On weeknights
In addition, selected players will receive:
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Extra training sessions
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Competition-specific preparation
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Targeted development in anticipation of international tournaments
The Academy is designed to provide a professional environment that mirrors international standards while supporting athletes at the appropriate stage of development.
2026 Trial Information
There will be two rounds of trials:
Round 1 – March
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16 March | 19:30–21:00
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18 March | 19:30–21:00
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19 March | 19:30–21:00
Round 2 – May (Post Indoor Season)
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6 May | 19:30–21:00
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7 May | 19:30–21:00
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9 May | 11:00–12:30
Players may attend multiple sessions within a trial round using one entry ticket.
Athletes can be accepted into the Academy following either round and begin training immediately.
Buy a ticket and fill out the google form below!
Cost: €5 trial entry fee – https://volleyballireland.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=E4B0E42B49543040DB424A960667A1E36D94BF8C
Google form – https://forms.gle/UE2k5uBEFYZUGLwi8
Not Based in Dublin?
Athletes who are interested in national team selection but cannot attend regular Dublin-based training should contact:
📧 Coach Melissa – [email protected]
We are committed to supporting Irish-qualified athletes across the country.
Building on Momentum
The past year has shown what is possible for Irish beach volleyball from youth qualification progress to European Championship representation.
The National Beach Academy is about building on that momentum. It is about:
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Creating depth
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Raising standards
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Providing clarity in the pathway
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Preparing Irish athletes to compete with confidence on the European stage
The journey to the sand begins here.
We look forward to seeing the next generation step forward.
Éire Abú.
