New Zealand’s beach volleyball teams have been confirmed for a two-leg series against India at Auckland and Tauranga. The series is part of the celebrations marking 100 years of Unity Through Sport between New Zealand and India.

The series marks a century of sporting connection between the two nations. It gives Kiwi fans the chance to see international beach volleyball on home sand, and it gives some of our emerging athletes valuable experience against international opposition.

It's a rare opportunity for the beach volleyball community in New Zealand to show its support for the sport pre-Christmas. 

The Teams:

Women:

Auckland:

• Olivia MacDonald: current Beach Fern
• Lani Rawle: NZA athlete

Tauranga:

• Olivia MacDonald: current Beach Fern
• Meile-Rose Green: NZA athlete

Men:

Auckland:

• Juraj Krajci: NZA athlete
• Kyson Norton: U18 Beach athlete

Tauranga:

• Sam O’Dea: current Beach Black
• Cruize Satiu: U18 Beach athlete
• Noah Smith: NZA athlete
• Cruize Satiu: U18 Beach athlete

Experience Meets Emerging Talent

The squad mixes experienced internationals with some of the country’s brightest young talent.

Current Beach Fern Olivia MacDonald will play both legs. She brings international experience to the series and will partner with a different rising star at each venue.

MacDonald has been competing in beach volleyball around the globe, including well over half a dozen nations in 2026 and the World Championships last year - it's a huge bonus to have someone of her stature competing.

Lani Rawle joins her on the sand in Auckland, and Meile-Rose Green takes the court with her in Tauranga. Both have played internationally this year: Meile-Rose placed 5th at an Asian Tour event and Lani placed 9^th.

On the men’s side, current Beach Black Sam O’Dea, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, leads the way in Tauranga. He will partner U18 Beach athlete Cruize Satiu, a Tauranga Boys’ College student who represented New Zealand at the U18 Beach World Championships in The Hague earlier this year.

NZA athlete Noah Smith, who has also competed internationally and placed 5th at an Asian Tour event this year, will team up with Cruize at Tauranga on Sunday.

In Auckland, NZA athlete Juraj Krajci pairs with U18 Beach athlete Kyson Norton from Rangitoto College. Juraj is a former age-group representative who won bronze at the Youth Commonwealth Games, and Kyson was part of the 2026 NZ U18 Beach squad.

Two U18 athletes in the men’s line-up show Volleyball New Zealand’s commitment to the next generation. Young players get the chance to compete alongside experienced team-mates while representing their country on home soil.

A Century of Sporting Connection

The Unity Through Sport centenary celebrates 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India, which are built on friendship, respect and a shared love of competition. Beach volleyball is proud to be part of the celebrations. Hosting India at two of New Zealand’s best beach venues highlights the sport’s growing international connections.

"Playing India in Tauranga on the Mount Maunganui Main Beach as part of the 100-year celebration of India- New Zealand relations is an incredible opportunity. It's always an honour to represent New Zealand on the sand, to compete against international opposition, and be part of such a special milestone. Something I look forward to greatly." – Noah Smith

Of note is that the India players are starting to compete in international tournaments as well as the Asian Games and will not be pushovers.

Come and Watch:

Auckland, Mairangi Bay Beach Centre: Thursday 12^th and Friday 13^th November with games starting at 1.30pm

Tauranga, Mount Maunganui Main Beach: Saturday 14^th November games starting at 1.30pm and Sunday 15^th November games starting at 10.30am

Entry is Free. Bring your friends and whānau to the beach and get behind our athletes as they take on India.

Livestream available at www.vnzplus.tv

Follow Volleyball New Zealand on social media for live updates, results and behind-the-scenes content from the series.

www.volleyballnz.org.nz  and volleyballnewzealand (insta) volleyballnz (facebook)

Article added: Tuesday 03 November 2026