The Antigua & Barbuda Volleyball Association (ABAVA) has made an official announcement confirming the rosters of male and female under-20 national beach volleyball teams that will carry the nation’s flag at the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-20 Beach Volleyball Championship. The regional tournament is scheduled to take place from July 10 to 12, 2026, hosted by Saint Kitts & Nevis.
All selected athletes are widely regarded as the most promising rising talent in Antigua & Barbuda’s beach volleyball pipeline, having secured their spots on the national team through unwavering commitment to the sport, rigorous consistent training, strong on-court performance and proven technical proficiency.
On the men’s side, the partnership features George Freeland and Miguel Peña-Lugo, led by head coach Jamarie James. Freeland brings valuable high-level senior international experience to the squad, having already competed for Antigua & Barbuda at the 2026 ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball Championship earlier this year. Across all his international outings, he has consistently displayed the technical skill, mental maturity and on-court composure required to deliver strong results against top regional competition. Teammate Peña-Lugo boasts an impressive track record of regional competition, having represented Antigua & Barbuda at three straight editions of the ECVA Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championship. His repeated selection to national teams underscores both his relentless dedication to the sport and the competitive edge he has built through years of cross-regional match play. Combined, Freeland and Peña-Lugo form the most experienced, competition-ready men’s duo available for selection to the tournament, bringing pre-existing on-court chemistry, sharp tactical awareness and extensive regional exposure to the Championship.
For the women’s team, rising players Philisha Burnette and Faith Gibson will represent the nation, under the guidance of head coach Rosemarie Simon. Burnette previously earned valuable international experience competing for Antigua & Barbuda at the 2025 U18 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, where she tested her skills against some of the strongest junior talent across the Caribbean region. Though Gibson is relatively new to the elite beach volleyball circuit, she has quickly stood out through her exceptional natural athleticism, solid foundational technique, willingness to learn from coaching, and relentless drive to improve as a player. Throughout the national pre-tournament preparation camp, she has showcased all the core attributes needed to compete at the regional level, while continuing to build critical international competitive experience. ABAVA officials note both young women have demonstrated clear potential to represent Antigua & Barbuda with confidence and professionalism as they advance through the national development program.
In the lead-up to the July championship, all selected athletes have completed a structured national training program crafted to refine technical execution, boost tactical decision-making, strengthen on-court communication between partners, improve overall physical conditioning, and build cohesive team dynamics ahead of the regional contest.
ABAVA has publicly extended its sincere gratitude to the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean (ANOCES) for its critical financial and logistical support, which has made Antigua & Barbuda’s participation in the 2026 championship possible. As the national squads make their final preparations to travel to Saint Kitts & Nevis, the association has reaffirmed its full pride and support for the young athletes and their coaching staff, who are set to face off against the top junior beach volleyball talent across the Eastern Caribbean. The selection of each athlete, ABAVA notes, is a testament to their hard work, raw competitive potential, and willingness to carry Antigua & Barbuda’s flag with pride on the regional sporting stage.
The association closed its announcement with its unifying mantra: One Team. One Nation. One Passion.