Sport Ireland Campus to Host Major Women’s Sports Event

Volleyball Ireland will host the 2024 u20 Women’s European Volleyball Championship Finals at the Sport Ireland Campus this August.

The event promises to be one of the most watched Women’s sports events to be held in Ireland this year, with seven of the continent’s best young teams joining hosts Ireland, at the Sport Ireland Campus.

Sport Ireland Campus, Chief Operations Officer Michael Murray expressed his pride;

“The team at Sport Ireland Campus are proud to be the host venue for the 2024 u20 Women’s European Volleyball Championship Finals this August which will mark an historic moment for Ireland in hosting such a prestigious competition. 

Having recently hosted the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, LEN European U23 Swimming Championships, the Men’s EuroHockey Championship II and the Karate 1-Premier League at Sport Ireland Campus in 2023, a key objective for Sport Ireland Campus is to continue hosting more major international events in 2024 and beyond. Since 2021 we have hosted major European Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, Hockey and Karate events.’

From August 5th-13th Ireland will host one of two, eight-team Pools, with tournament co-hosts Bulgaria staging Pool B and Semi Finals/Finals stage in Sofia. The top two from Pool A qualify for the Semi-Finals.

The event will be historic, with Ireland becoming the first ever European Volleyball Small Countries Zone member, to host a European Championships Finals. 

European Volleyball President, Alexsandr Boricic commented, 

“Over the last few years, the CEV has encouraged ‘developing’ National Federations to take up the challenge and host a European Championship for one or the other age group, as we wish to expand the popularity of our sport across the whole of Europe. Volleyball Ireland has experienced tremendous growth and development in recent times, and I am confident that the delivery of this championship will lay the foundations for the further growth of the game in the country. Ireland are literally breaking new ground for European and international Volleyball, as the first member of the Small Countries Association to host an event of this magnitude. I am sure that they will be up to the task, as I can sense their enthusiasm and excitement for what lies ahead.”

Ireland captain Laura Connolly, graduate of Rockford Manor school, student at TUD Dublin and current player at DVC Lions is buzzing for the challenge ahead, 

“I’m incredibly excited for Ireland to host such as massive event. It’s a great honour every time we represent our country, but being able to do that at home, in a major European Finals is just huge.  The whole team recognise the challenge ahead, but we feel so lucky and privileged to have this opportunity, against some of the best players in the world. The preparation is cranking up now, and we’re really looking forward to giving it our all.” 

As the fifth most popular sport in the world Volleyball’s participation levels are booming, both domestically and globally. In Ireland, participation levels have tripled in the last four years, with five times more children now playing the sport than in 2019. Volleyball Ireland Chief Executive Gary Stewart added, 

“Hosting this event gives Volleyball Ireland a huge opportunity to further grow the game. Anyone that watches the sport knows it’s exciting, dramatic and action-packed. Bringing the best young players in the world to Dublin will showcase the sport like nothing else. If you haven’t been to a live Volleyball match, nor a female sports event, then this is the perfect opportunity to see elite athletes, future Olympic champions and the next generation of global role models. Get it in your diary now!”

A comprehensive legacy programme will ensure that the event has lasting impact, with Volleyball Ireland President Clodagh NicCanna keen to emphasise the long term plan for the sport, 

“There’s no doubt that this is the biggest Volleyball event Ireland has ever seen. It’s history. We’ll be grabbing the opportunity with both hands and using it to further grow participation, up-skill our volunteers, strengthen our clubs and inspire more people to join the VLY. Community. Volleyball is huge globally, this is a serious event that will bring International eye balls to Volleyball Ireland, and we hope capture the imagination of sports fans in Ireland. Volleyball has a real buzz about it, and we will be doing out utmost to ensure anyone and everyone is welcome to the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena to feel the buzz of Volleyball!”

The legacy programme will include coach education courses with world class tutors, as well as a club development programme and supports for youth clubs. A Sport Ireland funded teenage girls programme will run alongside the championships.

Ireland’s first test event will take place later this month as the u20 Men’s Small Countries Association Championships are held at the Sport Ireland Campus. Five teams – Ireland, Scotland, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland and San Marino will compete for a place in Greece & Serbia. The matches start on January 26th finishing on Sunday 28th.