U19 Coaches looking forward to competing for Worlds’ berths

BURNABY, Canada, May 11, 2026.- The U19 NORCECA Boys’ Continental Volleyball Championship gets underway this week Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Four berths to the U19 World Championship are at stake, as eight teams compete from May 12 to 17.

The head coach of each team explains the importance of this tournament in the following statements:

Panama’s Head Coach Alexis Bernal: “This is the first time that Panama is competing at the U19 level at the NORCECA Championships. Our expectation is to reach our best possible game level with the goal of winning a medal.”

USA Head Coach Andy Read: “USA Volleyball’s U19 team is excited to be here in Canada. Thanks to Volleyball Canada for hosting such a great event. Obviously, we want to win the gold medal and qualify for World Championships. Our team is ready to go!

USA has multiple weekends throughout the year to help train and select guys. And then we got together just over a week ago at the National Training Center in Anaheim (California) and trained there before arriving here in Burnaby.”

Puerto Rico’s Head Coach, Herman Ommy Torres Calvo: “We are bringing a young group, gold medalists of the past U17 event in Nicaragua and we want them to compete here at an older level in preparation for our next competition, the World Championship in Qatar.”

Dominican Republic Head Coach Francisco Jose Lerebours: “As a federation we’ve been giving opportunity to young boys, projecting them for the future; Under-17 players from last year alongside Under-19 players. We have a plan with these young players to achieve a strong result, enjoy themselves, gain experience, and build up competitive exposure for the future events they will take part in.”

Costa Rica Head Coach Robertocarlo Arguello: “We come with high expectations, knowing there are four spots available for a World Championship. We weren’t able to fully consolidate the team 100%, but the players who are here come with the mindset of doing the best job possible, giving their all to prove why they are in this tournament at this moment. We want to compete, and we are prepared to do so.”

Barbados Head Coach John Stuart: “I expect our guys to do well. With a number of qualification spots available (for the U19 World Championships), that is an incentive for them to do even better. So I expect a high level of volleyball.”  

Mexico Head Coach Jose Eduardo Millan Lanz: “We feel prepared after 10 days of training in Tijuana, where we had a high volume of preparation matches. This is a team with a very strong mindset and strong tactical discipline. We are ready to represent Mexico and aim for one of the four spots at the 2027 World Championship.”

Canada Head Coach Adam Schriemer: “The big thing is that we are aware this is a qualifier for the World Championships - that’s something on our minds and we are excited for the opportunity to compete together for the first time. As well we are aiming for the podium! We had a short amount of time together, so I’m curious about how good and far this group can get this week.”