Beach Performance Director Pitman - England's youngsters will learn valuable lessons from NEVZA event

In a tournament (Tuesday to Thursday) that doubled as a first-round qualifier for the European Championships, the host nation were unable to clinch a medal amid strong opposition, with Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark filling the podium slots. 

But Pitman believes that seeing just how good some of the players from Scandinavia are at U18 and U20 level can be a real positive for those on the England Performance Pathway, showing where they can improve technically, tactically and mentally.

“It has been such a valuable experience for our younger players,” said Pitman. “Even though the results didn’t go as might have been hoped, it was a great chance to learn from some of the best players in the world in their age group.  

“Hopefully it will be inspiring for them for the future and they can see where they want to get to and what they can work on. 

“Overall, I think the team has found it an enjoyable experience where they have learned a lot. 

“Already we have had messages from parents saying how much some of the players have taken from it and that there have been some really valuable lessons. 

“I think watching some of the matches it was obvious that some of the players got nervous and it affected their performances a little bit, but it is something they will learn from for next time they are in the same situation, where they will be more composed. 

“But the good thing is that we had something like 108 nominations to play – more than ever before – and we got 16 teams out there experiencing what it was like to play for their country.” 

The closest England came to a medal was in the men’s U18 category where Luca Robinson and Lewis Bunton came up only narrowly short. 

After reaching the semi-finals with a degree of comfort, they won the first set against Finland but could not close it out and then were 20-17 up in the first set of their bronze medal match against Sweden, only to lose it 22-20. 

Pitman was also pleased with the performances of Tilly Hutton and Robyn Clifford, who reached the Women’s U18 semi-finals, beating compatriots and number one seeds Molly Quinn and Lauren Thorn along the way. 

He said: “Luca has had the chance to play with an experienced partner in Lewis, and they have put in some good performances on the UK Beach Tour. 

“They were there or thereabouts in this tournament against some strong opposition and I think they will have learned a lot from it. 

“Tilly and Robyn played a fantastic quarter-final and put the pressure on Molly and Lauren, who I know were disappointed not to reach the semis. 

“But it is good to have two pairs who are around that kind of level pushing each other.” 

“Overall, a few of the players will be disappointed they didn’t medal or get further through the rounds, but you have to remember that the standard is a lot higher this year than last because it was a Euros qualifer. 

“Finland were here this time and weren’t last and picked up five medals and they are particularly strong at junior level, both on the beach and indoor, so that has to be taken into consideration when looking at the results.”

In the Senior tournament that preceded the Youths from last Friday to Sunday, English pair Niko Gleed and Enrique Bello lived up to their number one seed billing to clinch gold medals in the men’s event. 

Katie Keefe and Martha Bullen also took bronze in the women’s category, despite having only limited time together as a pairing. 

“I think Nico and Enrique would have considered themselves favourites to win that tournament, but the good thing is they went out there and did the job against some good quality opposition,” said Pitman 

“It is one thing to be expected to win something, but they still had to go out there and do it, which they did very well. 

“Kirsty (Star) and Alice (Jagielska) would have hoped to have gone deeper, but Alice will have still got plenty out of it, and playing in the Youth tournament, as she prepares for NCAA college volleyball later this year.

“Martha and Katie did really well, especially in the tough (windy) conditions, and Katie showed her the experience she now has.” 

In the near future, England’s players will have access to a new all-weather facility at Birmingham City University’s (BCU) campus in the West Midlands. 

Pitman feels that could be a considerable step forward for the beach programme, allowing players to train in the sand all year round should they wish to. 

He said: “What it will allow is the possibility of more training throughout the colder winter months, which would have been difficult before. 

“There is also the potential for more regular training camps when we can get players from around the country together in one place to help continue their development.”