It’s official, Volleyball Ireland will host the 2024 u20 Women’s European Volleyball Championship Finals.
The August event promises to be one of the most watched Women’s sports events to be held in Ireland this year, with seven of the continent’s best young teams joining hosts Ireland, at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Over 1 million people are expected to watch the matches online.
From August 5th-13th Ireland will host one of two, eight-team Pools, with tournament co-hosts Bulgaria staging Pool B and Semi Finals/Finals stage in Sofia. The top two from Pool A qualify for the Semi-Finals.
The event will be historic, with Ireland becoming the first ever European Volleyball Small Countries Zone member, to host a European Championships Finals.
European Volleyball President, Alexsandr Boricic commented,
“Over the last few years, the CEV has encouraged ‘developing’ National Federations to take up the challenge and host a European Championship for one or the other age group, as we wish to expand the popularity of our sport across the whole of Europe. Volleyball Ireland has experienced tremendous growth and development in recent times, and I am confident that the delivery of this championship will lay the foundations for the further growth of the game in the country. Ireland are literally breaking new ground for European and international Volleyball, as the first member of the Small Countries Association to host an event of this magnitude. I am sure that they will be up to the task, as I can sense their enthusiasm and excitement for what lies ahead.”
DVC Lions middle, and Ireland captain Laura Connolly is buzzing for the challenge ahead,
“I’m incredibly excited for Ireland to host such as massive event. It’s a great honour every time we represent our country, but being able to do that at home, in a major European Finals is just huge. The whole team recognise the challenge ahead, but we feel so lucky and privileged to have this opportunity, against some of the best players in the world. The preparation is cranking up now, and we’re really looking forward to giving it our all.”
Over 1 million people are expected to watch the 28-game programme online, with Volleyball Ireland Chief Executive Gary Stewart commenting,
“Hosting this event gives us a huge opportunity to further grow the game. Anyone that watches the sport knows it’s exciting, dramatic and action-packed. Bringing the best young players in the world to Dublin will showcase the sport like nothing else. We really want everyone to get involved and play a role. It’s a massive event and we need the help of our brilliant community to deliver it – whether you’re a line judge, scorer, team liaison officer, photographer, event crew, there’s a role for everyone. Get it in your diary now!”
A volunteer portal will open in February, where members of the VLY. Community to register to help. A comprehensive legacy programme will ensure that the event has lasting impact, with coach education courses with world class tutors, as well as a club development programme and supports for youth clubs. A Sport Ireland funded teenage girls programme will run alongside the championships.
Volleyball Ireland President Clodagh NicCanna is keen to emphasise the importance of the development programme, adding,
“There’s no doubt that this is the biggest Volleyball event Ireland has ever seen. It’s history. We’ll be grabbing the opportunity with both hands and using it to further grow participation, up-skill our volunteers, strengthen our clubs and inspire more people to join the VLY. Community. Volleyball has a real buzz about it, and we will be doing out utmost to ensure anyone and everyone is welcome to the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena to feel the buzz of Volleyball!”
Italy, Poland, Sweden and Croatia are the first teams to qualify for the finals, with second round qualifiers set for April.
Ireland’s first test event will take place later this month as the u20 Men’s Small Countries Association Championships are held at the Sport Ireland Campus. Five teams – Ireland, Scotland, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland and San Marino will compete for a place in Greece & Serbia. The matches start on January 26th finishing on Sunday 28th.
Tickets for the SCA u20 Men’s competition are available now > https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/volleyball-ireland/
We still have a number of voluntary roles available for the SCA event, please register here > https://forms.gle/MVYEZgwrs2eqYU9z6
