USAV Announces Beach IDQ Schedule for 2010

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 4, 2010) – USA Volleyball has announced that it will host four International Development Qualifiers (IDQs), which are tournaments to identify elite beach athletes for entry into select international events and other USAV High Performance Beach Programs.

Teams that finish among the top three in IDQ events will get the opportunity to represent the United States in select NORCECA Beach Circuit and other international events.

“Last year’s two IDQ events were highly successful. With the rapid expansion of the NORCECA tour and the demand for high-level events that meet the needs of developing elite athletes, USAV feels that this is the perfect time to expand the IDQ schedule,”  said Ali Wood Lamberson, USA Volleyball’s Director of Beach Programs.

IDQ events are open to all beach athletes who are not ranked among the top 16 AVP teams (pending an AVP final decision). The AVP will grant dispensation to athletes in good standing individually ranked below a certain mark in order to compete in conflicting FIVB and NORCECA events.

Three IDQs will take place at Marina Green Park, 700 East Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, Calif., with the fourth event being held in Florida at a site to be determined.

The entry fee for each event is $70 per team for current USAV members and $80 per team for non-members. The Molten NORCECA ball will be used. The event format will be full match pool play with a single-elimination playoff.

IDQs are open to all beach athletes. Contracted AVP athletes must confirm eligibility based on rank with the AVP prior to the competition. AVP rank is at the final date of IDQ registration.

All participants must hold a valid U.S. passport and may not be currently registered as a member of another country’s volleyball federation.

To register, go to www.regonline.com/USAVBeach2010.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: International Development Qualifiers (IDQ)
Dates: March 6-7, March 27-28, and June 26-27
Location: Marina Green Park, 700 E Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, Calif.
Date: Aug. 14-15
Location: Florida, site TBC
Cost: $70 per team USAV members, $80 per team non-members
Ball: Molten BV5000 (NORCECA ball)
Level: Open to all beach athletes, (contracted AVP athletes must confirm eligibility based on rank with the AVP prior to competition.  AVP rank is at date of registration.)  Seeding: USAV/IDQ, NORCECA, AVP, FIVB and CBVA points will be considered
Format: Two days. Full match play (2 out of 3 to 21, 3rd to 15). Pool play with single elimination playoffs
Registration: Registration is online ONLY (www.regonline.com/usavbeach2010) and closes the Wednesday before each event at 11:59 p.m.

NORCECA BEACH CIRCUIT:
Teams that earn a bid to a NORCECA event will represent the United States in the Main Draw of the event. USA Volleyball will provide a travel stipend of $200 per player for each event. Room, local transportation, and meals will be provided by the promoter. Players must organize and purchase their own airfare. Advertised prize money for NORCECA tour events is $10,000/event.(See NORCECA web site www.norceca.org for money breakdown and event regulations). NORCECA events take place Thursday-Sunday, athletes are required to arrive Wednesday evening, attend the award ceremony on Sunday and depart Monday morning.

2010 NORCECA BEACH CIRCUIT SCHEDULE CLICK HERE.  Please note that the NORCECA schedule is subject to change.

FIVB EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER EVENTS:
Teams that earn a bid to an FIVB exhibition or other international event will represent the United States in the selected FIVB event, and will be placed in the Main Draw or the Qualifier depending on the structure of the event. There will be no USAV funding for these events. Teams that make the event Main Draw typically have hotel and meals provided by the promoter along with guaranteed prize money. Players must organize and purchase their own airfare as well as hotel and meals during the qualifier. Events will be added as announced.

Tags: beach volleyball, International Development Qualifiers, NORCECA Beach Circuit