Larnaka, Cyprus, July 31, 2016 – The local organizers of the FIVB U19 World Championships this week in Larnaka honoured seven former beach volleyball players that have been, and are still of great value for international beach volleyball.
All seven of them started coaching young players after their retirement. On Saturday evening they came together on centre court and shared their advice for the youngsters competing at the age-group event.
Mariano ‘Mono’ Baracetti from Argentina, world champion (2001) and three-time Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008): “My advice to young athletes is keep working hard. The most important thing is to enjoy it, no matter what is the outcome of their match, it’s their progress that matters.”
Andrew Schacht from Australia, two-time Olympian (2004, 2008): “Training, training, training. It’s the all-important word in beach volleyball. Even if we have the talent, training plays a vital part in the athlete’s everyday life.”
Francismar Adriano Dias Carredo from Brazil, World Tour 1995-2004: “I enjoy working with young athletes. My advice to them is to work hard in practice, and in the end you will be rewarded.”
Javier Bosma from Spain, three-time Olympian (1996, 2000 and silver in 2004): “It’s great to be here. I wish I were in their position. Players have to enjoy and have fun, because at the end of the day, beach volleyball is only a game.”
Eric Koreng from Germany, Olympian (2008): “Young people have to make sacrifices in their private lives in order to move forward. I know they are young and want to go out and mix with their friends. But, you have to lose something in order to gain something else!”
Debora Schoon-Kadijk from the Netherlands, two-time Olympian (1996, 2000): “It’s important for young athletes to go out and enjoy themselves in the sand.”
Barbra Fontana from the USA, Olympian (1996): “This is the beginning of a wonderful journey, and enjoy this journey. Take it from me, playing so many years as an athlete, I now see things from a different perspective, being a coach.”
Quick Links•
U19 World Championships Larnaka, Cyprus 2016 - website•
Qualification - Men•
Qualification - Women•
Main draw - Men•
Main draw - Women