Bermuda’s youth volleyball programmes have signaled their arrival on the North American stage, following a landmark performance at the Nike Boston National Qualifier.
After two weekends of high-intensity action at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the official verdict from the Bermuda Volleyball Association (BVA) confirms that the island’s athletes are no longer just participants—they are genuine contenders.
The headline achievement belonged to the Paradise Hitters 17 & Under, who secured a remarkable 5th-place finish out of 63 teams. In only their second overseas outing of the season, Head Coach Mike Gazzard praised the squad’s “tremendous determination” against seasoned U.S. club programs.
The success was mirrored by the younger ranks, with the U13 contingent delivering a dominant opening to their campaign. While they eventually exited in the Silver Bracket, coach Kamryn Martins highlighted the “resilience and growth” shown against elite competition.
BVA Club Director Gary LeBlanc noted that seeing Bermudian squads hold their own in such massive fields “speaks volumes” about the sport’s trajectory. As the teams return to the 21-square-mile island, they do so having earned the hard-won respect of their international peers.
