Volleyball: Chasing place in sun

By Terry Maddaford

For Craig Seuseu and Tom Eade it is very much a case of have ball (and togs), will travel, in their quest for a place among the 24 teams who will chase beach volleyball gold at the Sydney Olympics.

With a world ranking of 21, the Kiwi pair are on course for their place in the sun. The trick is maintaining their place among the sport's elite - and that won't come cheap.

Now in Germany to continue their on-going build-up to the international circuit, Seuseu and Eade will next week be in Toronto, Canada, for the first World Series event of the year.

Next month they will send the sand flying in taking on the best in the World Championships in France.

Eade, originally from Auckland but now based in Sydney where he practises as a doctor, and Seuseu, from Dunedin - they met while studying at Otago University and playing volleyball (indoor) -are following the well-trodden path of Glen and Reid Hamilton who played in the first Olympic beach volleyball tournament in Atlanta three years ago.

With plenty of encouragement from the Hamilton brothers, New Zealand's highest-ranked duo are taking on the world in ensuring their ranking remains high enough to guarantee an Olympic spot.

Seen by many as one of the glamour sports on the international calendar, the sun tans and skimpy outfits are only part of a story which, for the Kiws, without New Zealand Sports Foundation or other funding, means scrimping out a living while travelling the world.

Earlier this year the pair, who are in the third year of their Olympic campaign, played top combinations from Norway and Germany as part of the ETA Naturals pro-beach tour.

Their best result thus far, seventh in a tournament in Russia and more recently, victory over Atlanta silver medallist Todd Whitmarsh and King of the Beach winner Eric Fonoimoana.

Seuseu and Eade will be back on New Zealand beaches for this summer's ETA tour before returning to the world circuit in 1999 ahead of their Olympic bid.

Very much a "do it yourself" campaign and one which surely deserves to succeed.