COFFS Coast duo Felix Clarke and Dala Willoughby have had a tournament to remember at the recent Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships at Coolangatta Beach.
The pair finished seventh out of 25 teams in the Under 18 girls event, and topped their pool after the second day.
Felix and Dala were honoured to represent both their state and the Coffs Coast region.
“It’s really important for me coming from a regional club and it feels really great to represent NSW,” Felix said.
“It is really inspiring for other regional people who I’ve met and played with or against in our part of NSW.
“Just to show people that you can do it if you have enough grit and determination to pave your own way.”
Dala said both her and Felix being from the same region helped the pair at the National Championships.
“We were able to focus on getting the connection on the beach,” she said.
“Being around the bigger team is great because they can help cheer you on, or they can help you with anything.
“You can ask them questions about their experiences in previous competitions because they’ve played against people we’re coming up against as well.
“Coming into this event, we were both intimidated by how we would rank against everyone our age.
“We spent a lot of preparation playing against older and more experienced beach volleyball athletes, but we idolised them and it has been great to see what has rubbed off on us from these sessions, and now we’re bringing it to our own games.”
By Aiden BURGESS