INSPO Fitness Journal March 2018

THE POWER
OF TWO
When it comes to glamour sports, the location of white sandy
beaches around the globe hint at a highly enviable lifestyle for
those involved in beach volleyball. However the reality behind
those admirable athlete physiques is hours of training and
perseverance, sweat and agony, and relentless training - from
physical fitness to extreme mental toughness.
So for Waikato’s Shaunna Polley and
Kelsie Wills, being selected to represent
New Zealand at the Commonwealth
Games is a dream they barely hoped
for. It is also a landmark for the sport, which
is included for the first time in the Commonwealth
Games.
The pair already boast a bronze medal
performance at the 2017 Ulsan 1 Star World
Tour Event (Korea) and are keen to help
build awareness around beach volleyball in
New Zealand.
“It’s still definitely a minority sport here,”
says Shaunna, “but worldwide it’s in the top
five most played sports.”
Having spent time in California, it was
something of an adjustment for Shaunna to
return home to Hamilton and face driving
three time as week to Mount Manganui for
training sessions.
“There are amazing courts everywhere
in California, sometimes hundreds of courts
scattered along a beach.”
Having been involved in an impressive
list of sports between them, Kelsie and
Shaunna have faced many hurdles in their
pursuit of such a poorly recognised sport in
New Zealand. However their love of the sport
has seen them persevere - with the ultimate
reward of representing their country.
INSPO Fitness Journal finds out more?
KELSIE WILLS
Age? 25
Currently living? Mount Maunganui
How did you get involved in the sport? I
began playing in third form at Matamata
College. My brother Beau was a year ahead of
me and played. I thought it looked like a bit
of fun so gave it a go, and here I am.
What do you enjoyed most about it? Well,
you can’t look past the locations we get to
play and train at on a daily basis. Specifically
in relation to beach volleyball I love the fact
that you can determine your own intensity,
there is no reliance on an entire team to get
the job done, it is just you and your partner.
I also love the social side to the sport, so many
people love to get out there and give beach
volleyball a try - if only it was slightly more accessible
to the general public in New Zealand.
Greatest challenge of the sport in the early
days? Well I had just sprouted up as a 13 year
old and had a bit of trouble getting used to
my long limbs, so that was quite a challenge.
List of achievements to date?
- Completing a four year volleyball
scholarship in the USA (2011-2015)
- Playing a year of professional volleyball in
Paris (2015-2016)
- Medalling at a FIVB world tour event (2017)
- Qualifying for the 2018 Commonwealth
Games
10 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL MARCH 2018