This is the first time any Boys pairings have travelled up to Mount Maunganui for the NZ Secondary Schools' Beach Volleyball Championships.

Our two Boys pairings, Tom Vesty/Gerrard Leem and Jova Waqa/Ari Leckie both had great starts to the tournament going unbeaten in pool play. This put both pairings as the top seed in their pools going into the round of 16.

For both pairings, the same form continued with both winning 2-0 in the round of 16, Tom/Gerrard against Waimea College and Jova/Ari against Whakatane High School. This meant both pairings now had a quarter final spot, Tom/Gerrard against Rangitoto College 2 and Jova/Ari against Mt Maunganui College. Again, both pairings continued on with what they have been doing with another 2-0 win for both pairings. This put Jova/Ari against Rangitoto College 1 in the semi final with Tom/Gerrard against Rosmini College. Sadly both pairings' winning streak came to an end, both losing 2-0, but on the bright side this meant that Burnside High School Boys had secured a medal at their first-ever Beach Nationals, with each pair playing each other in the match for 3rd/4th place. Ari/Jova took the first set, Tom/Gerrard fought back to win the second set. but in the end Jova/Ari collected the bronze medal and the bragging rights defeating Tom/Gerrard 2-1.

Overall, a great performance from both Boys' teams and an amazing way to start Burnside High School Boys participation at Beach Nationals.

Our Girls' pairing of Eliana Collins and Trinity Wright competed in the Senior Girls' division.

Thomas Vesty