Mexico to host inaugural U17 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships

 

Implementing another solid element of its overall plan for growth and development of the sport worldwide, the new FIVB administration has announced that starting in 2014 a fourth age-group world championship will be held, the latest for the U17 age-group. On July 15-20, Acapulco, Mexico will be the site of the inaugural FIVB Beach Volleyball U17 World Championships.

“We are delighted to be able to organize a World Championships for the U17 age-group,” FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said. “We want to give as many young players the chance to experience international competition because it is vital to their development as beach volleyball players.”

“It also means another country can have the opportunity to organize an FIVB international tournament and learn and understand what is required to host a FIVB age-group World Championships and how the hosting federation can use the tournament to increase the popularity of the sport in their country and region.”

As part of the initiatives of the new leadership of the FIVB, the inaugural FIVB Beach Volleyball U23 World Championships were held in Myslowice, Poland and this year’s event will return to the same city in Southeast Poland for the second FIVB U23 World Championships, June 10-15.

The two long-standing age-group world championships U21 and U19 will be held in cities that have hosted other age-group events in the past. The 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships will be held in Larnaka, Cyprus, with the event set to take place from July 22-27. This age-group World Championship has been held every year since 2001 so this will be the 14th annual U21championships.

The 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships will be held in Porto, Portugal on July 29 to August 3. First being held in 2002, this year will be the 13th annual U19 championships.

While this will be the first age-group FIVB World Championship in the country, Acapulco has hosted three double-gender FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Open events, in 1999, 2005 and 2006 and Rosarito hosted an FIVB Open in 2000.

Acapulco is a city, municipality and major seaport in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, 300 kilometers (190 miles) southwest of Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico's history.

The city is best known as one of Mexico's oldest and most well-known beach resorts, which came into prominence in the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Acapulco is still famous for its nightlife and still attracts many tourists, although most are now from Mexico itself. The resort area is divided into two: The north end of the bay is the "traditional" area, where the famous in the mid-20th century vacationed; and the south end is dominated by newer luxury high-rise hotels.

The age-group FIVB World Championships have historically seen many of the young stars of today building their experience level to advance up the ladder in international competition. This year’s 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour for professional athletes will include 10 FIVB Grand Slam events, a new FIVB Grand Slam Final and nine FIVB Beach Volleyball Open events.

The format of all the FIVB Beach Volleyball international tournaments – whether pro or age group FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, FIVB Beach Volleyball Grand Slam or FIVB Beach Volleyball Open – are the same, featuring pool play followed by single elimination knockout rounds.