The Courland Beach Sport Arena in Tobago came alive from August 27–30, 2025, as the 2nd Edition of the Beach Volleyball Development Camp delivered four days of intensive training, spirited competition, and regional collaboration.
Spearheaded through a partnership between the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), and the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF), and led by internationally acclaimed FIVB Coach Paulo Roberto Moreira da Costa, the camp brought together 54 athletes and coaches from across the Caribbean. Participants represented eight (8) countries: Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, US Virgin Islands, and host nation Trinidad and Tobago.
Coach Paulo brought a wealth of experience to Trinidad and Tobago. A World Champion (1992, 1993) and former professional player for Brazil, Paulo transitioned into coaching and has since guided national teams to podium finishes across three continents. Notably, he led Italy’s men’s beach volleyball team to a Silver Medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a 5th place finish at London 2012, while also coaching Chile’s national teams to gold at the Pan American Games Lima 2019 and multiple South American titles. He remains the only coach to win major titles in Europe, Asia, and South America, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished figures.
The primary goal of the training camp was to nurture and develop young beach volleyball talent across the Caribbean, equipping athletes with the technical skills, discipline, and exposure needed to excel on the international stage. A key focus was preparing youth athletes for upcoming tournaments such as the Youth Olympic Games, Regional Beach Volleyball Tours, and World Championships. The tournament component of the camp also served as a ranking points event and vital preparation for the U18 World Beach Volleyball Championships and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, ensuring that the next generation of Caribbean athletes gained meaningful competitive experience early in their careers.
The event culminated in a tournament series held from August 29–30, 2025, featuring both boys’ and girls’ divisions. Matches followed a competitive structure including group play, quarterfinals, semi-finals, and medal matches, with ranking playoffs determining final placements. This structure provided youth athletes with practical, high-level match experience in a supportive environment, reinforcing the camp’s commitment to youth development and readiness for international events.
“This camp was about more than technical training,” said Chanelle Young, TTOC’s Project Officer Lead, Athletes & NSOs. “It was about strengthening regional ties, providing opportunities for youth athlete development, and ensuring our athletes are equipped to compete at the highest levels.”
This initiative formed part of CAZOVA’s ongoing development programme, designed to prepare the region’s young athletes for future Zonal and Continental competitions, as well as their progression toward World Championships and Olympic qualification tournaments.
The Secretary of Sports from the Tobago House of Assembly addressed the opening, encouraging the athletes—referred to as “future Olympians”—and pledged continued support for hosting such international events in Tobago.
Annette Knott, Secretary General of the TTOC, expressed her satisfaction with supporting the Olympic Solidarity funding request for this project. She highlighted that the event tied directly into the legacy of the Commonwealth Youth Games, which provided Tobago with a world-class beach volleyball facility to foster youth development. “This initiative reflects the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. By investing in the development of our young athletes and strengthening partnerships across the region, we are building not only future champions but also well-rounded individuals who can inspire their communities. The TTOC is proud to support this important step towards Lima 2027 and beyond.”
The program was made possible through collaboration the TTOC through its Olympic Solidarity, E-IDICOT, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), CAZOVA, and the TTVF.
The TTOC extends its gratitude to both the local and international sponsors such as Puma, Blue Waters, HADCO, A.S. Brydens, and Massy Distribution, whose contributions ensured that Caribbean athletes had the resources they needed to thrive.
With the turquoise waters of Tobago as a backdrop, this development camp not only shaped future champions but also underscored the region’s dedication to advancing the sport of volleyball.
TTOC Press Release