Clubs Partner with USAV for Beach ParaVolley Programming

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 22, 2022) – Five volleyball clubs from around the country will partner with USA Volleyball to carry out beach ParaVolley programming for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.

In 2021, USA Volleyball applied for and was awarded an Adaptive Sports Grant of $61,675 from the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the participation of disabled veterans and Armed Services member in beach ParaVolley.

Beach ParaVolley is the adaptive discipline of beach volleyball for athletes with disabilities, recognized by the international federation World ParaVolley. The game continues to grow around the world with aspirations to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

USA Volleyball identified five beach volleyball clubs to partner with and to conduct outreach activities with local VA facilities and other veteran service organizations to encourage disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces to learn and play the sport. Grant funds will be used to cover the costs of court rental, coach fees, equipment, and individual membership costs for the military members.

“USA Volleyball is thrilled to have the support of our partnering member beach volleyball clubs as we work to create new beach ParaVolley opportunities and to support our deserving disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces,” said Elliot Blake, USAV manager, sitting volleyball. “With the support for the Department of Veteran Affairs, we hope to improve the lives of ill and injured military members as they work to rehabilitate and reintegrate into their communities.”

The partner clubs are excited to work with USAV and disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.

“Going into our second year offering beach ParaVolley, we are thrilled to now partner with USA Volleyball and the Veterans Administration to expand our programming and reach,” said Eric Hammond, director of beach programs for the Bay Area Volleyball Academy in Annapolis, Md. “Working with the military population through this grant will be an honor for our club and coaches. The future of adaptive sports is bright, and we look forward to helping grow the game throughout the Mid-Atlantic area.”

Sessions will be offered starting in March 2022 through August 2022 as local weather conditions allow. Additionally, USAV is creating new online learning modules for coaches, staff and athletes on topics such as coaching wounded warriors, disability awareness and etiquette, the various playing skills and techniques used by the players, and competitive team strategies.

Like 2 vs 2 beach volleyball, beach ParaVolley is played in a 3 vs 3 format. Outside of this difference, the rules of the game are nearly identical. For more information regarding the rules of the game, review the published Beach ParaVolley rules (PDF).

Disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces are encouraged to contact one of the listed beach volleyball clubs below for more information and to start playing.

Glen Burnie, Maryland (Baltimore)

Bay Area Volleyball Academy (BAVA)
Bachman Sports Complex
570 E. Ordnance Rd.
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
bayvolleyball.com
Email: bayvolleyball@gmail.com
Phone: 410-443-6677

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Surface Beach VBC
6710 Cahill Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
surfacevbc.com
Email: espoppelman@surfacevbc.com
Phone: 651-261-1483

Canton, Georgia (Atlanta, Ga.)

S3 Volleyball
Badger Creek Park
464 Blalock Rd.
Canton, GA 30115
s3volleyball.com
Email: bryan@s3volleyball.com
Phone: 404-641-0214

Syracuse, N.Y.

Syracuse Volleyball Club
The Beach at Sharkey’s
7240 Oswego Road
Liverpool, NY 13090
syracusevolleyballclub.sportngin.com/
Email: beth.sharkeys.beach@gmail.com
Phone – 315-481-5327

Phoenix, Arizona

Stealth Beach Volleyball
Victory Lane Sports Park
22603 N. 43rd Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85310
stealthbeachvolleyball.com
Email – brett@stealthbeachvolleyball.com
Phone – 480-734-8236