England's Beach Volleyball pairs for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 announced

Daisy Boardman and Alice Jagielska will fly the flag in the female category, while Rob Morgan and Peter Soczewka will have the for the honour for the males. 

Matches at the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will be staged at the Black Rock Beach Facility between 5th August and 10th August after the opening ceremony is held on 4th August. 

The Team England squad has been announced today (4th July) to coincide with one month to go to the start of the Games. 

Boardman (pictured below) and Jagielska (pictured bottom), both 16, will both be competing in an international beach tournament for the first time. 

Manchester’s Boardman has honed her skills as part of the Urmston Grammar Volleyball Club while Jagielska, from Harrow, plays for Richmond Volleyball Club. 

“I honestly didn’t think I would be selected for something as big as this,” said Boardman. “When you get given that kit, no matter how many times you do it, you still get a rush for representing your country and you always get that adrenaline boost every time. 

“I really look forward to those moments and the atmosphere that is created, especially being part of the pairs team.” 

Morgan and Soczewka, both 18, competed together in the CEV European U18s Championships last year, the latter also competing in the U20s and U22s version of the same tournament. 

Braunton’s Morgan is a member at Exeter Storm Volleyball Club and Soczewka, from Barnet, is another representative of Richmond Beach Volleyball Club who is soon to start a scholarship at Perdue University, Fort Wayne in the USA. 

Soczewka, pictured top, said: “I am very happy about being selected. Ever since I found out about the Commonwealth Youth Games, it has been the goal. 

“It feels different with the Commonwealth Youth Games. You are directly representing England, especially with it being a multi-sport event. You really want to get out there and give it your all. Going to Trinidad and Tobago will be fantastic.” 

Team England’s female pairing have been drawn in Pool B, where they will take on Australia and Rwanda. 

The male duo will compete in Pool D, alongside Canada and Rwanda. 

They are part of Team England’s overall squad of 59 athletes, made up of more females than males, who will compete in four of the sports on the programme with representation in Athletics and Para Athletics, Beach Volleyball, FAST5 Netball and Swimming. 

Team England will be competing in 65 medal events over the six days of competition.

“I’m looking forward to working with such an exciting squad of athletes for what I’m sure will be a fantastic Games at Trinbago 2023,” said Team England’s Chef de Mission, Francesca Carter-Kelly, welcoming the athletes to the team. 

“We have an extremely talented group heading out to Trinidad and Tobago who are all primed to deliver at the Commonwealth Youth Games and make it an experience to remember. 

“This is a great opportunity to compete on the international stage and get a first experience of a multi-sport environment. I’m excited for competition to begin and I’m sure we will see many stand-out performances and future stars emerge.”  

Trinbago 2023 will be the first Commonwealth Youth Games held since the Bahamas 2017.  

Several high-profile athletes started their journey competing for Team England at previous Commonwealth Youth Games and have gone on to achieve great success at senior Games, including Jess Ennis-Hill, Dina Asher Smith, Jazmin Sawyers, Tom Dean, Alicia Wilson, Alex Yee and, of course, Beach Volleyball’s Bello brothers, Joaquin and Javier.  

Follow the Prides’ performances at Trinbago 2023 at www.teamengland.org via #BringItHome.