The Bermuda women’s volleyball team are aiming to go one better this week at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Championships and come away with the gold medal.

The team, who were second in the last tournament two years ago, are hungry to claim the top spot in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, said head coach Gary LeBlanc.

The men’s team are also competing and will be aiming to improve on their fifth place finish in 2024. The tournament starts today and finishes on Sunday.

LeBlanc is gunning for the top spot after finishing as runners-up to St Lucia in Antigua two years ago. That position qualified Bermuda for the ECVA Final Four tournament, where they also clinched silver.

“We’ve landed on two silver medal finishes over the last two ECVA competitions and we’re hungry for gold,” the coach said.

“We’ve done our best to identify areas for improvement and have been focused on doing what we need to finish on top. Regardless of our outcome, I’m extremely proud of this team and eagerly looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish.”

LeBlanc is joined by assistant coach Kayla Grant in plotting a route to victory against some of the region’s top volleyball nations, with a stiff challenge expected from defending champions St Lucia.

Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica and Grenada will join the host nation in a competitive battle for regional supremacy and the championship trophy.

Mike Smith is the head coach of the men’s team and Robert Saraiva is his assistant.

Bermuda are one of eight sides, with Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines and host nation BVI also competing.

Smith said his players were geared up to give it their all at the competition.

“As we head into the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Championships, we are excited for the opportunity to represent Bermuda on the regional stage,” he said.

“Reaching this point has taken months of hard work, commitment and sacrifice from every player and member of our staff.

“We are excited for the opportunity ahead and ready to compete with passion, unity and determination.

“We are grateful for the opportunity, proud to represent Bermuda and ready to give our very best at the championships. We look forward to making our country proud.”