New Volleyball league at Kennedy Park

Josh D'Alemberte shows technique
to a young volleyball player.

The City of Miami has recently improved the volleyball courts at Kennedy significantly and they are going to good use. And a few years ago, some regular volleyball players pitched in to buy new nets and the city really came through and not only installed the new nets, but replaced the old wooden poles with metal ones with pads for safety. The city also added a third court, which was a long time request of the volleyball community. Since then, the Kennedy Park courts have become some of the most active in the county. Groups that play weekly, include of groups of competitive 2 vs 2, friendly 3 vs 3, experienced 4 v 4 as well as picnickers who just stop by for a game or parents helping to train their children. 

To that end, Grovite Josh D’Alemberte started the Phoenix Beach Volleyball Club. Josh teaches and coaches at Ransom Everglades and meets at Kennedy Park where he holds workshops for kids and adults. 

"I installed white and red PVC antennas that can been seen while driving past on Bayshore Drive. Two weeks ago, the City of Miami did another great project to improve the courts, they added a screen barrier that stops the balls from rolling into the mangrove area," says Josh. "The next request that the volleyball community wants, besides finally fixing the restrooms, in Kennedy Park, is a small water installation to wash off the sand before returning to their vehicles." 

Phoenix Beach Volleyball Club teaches volleyball to girls and boys from age 8 to 18. They are called Phoenix because of their belief that if an athlete does not make a volleyball team this year, she or he can rise up (out of the ashes like the Phoenix) and achieve it next year by training with Phoenix Beach Volleyball Club.

"We believe that through fun and rigorous training, every participant can improve their game and learn to 'Dig the Beach!'  Each player receives many touches while playing beach 2’s or 4’s and beach courts are accessible all around town. An athlete who is introduced to the game correctly only needs a ball a net and 3 friends to get some real competition and practice going," says Josh.

In April and May they held clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Summer camps have been taking place, one just started that will run from June 27 - July 1.  They only will meet in the morning in order to avoid thunderstorms and excessive heat. There are still spaces available for both sessions.

The world of Beach Volleyball is growing fast.  It was exciting when it first became an Olympic sport and that momentum is sure to grow this summer in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. Many cite Beach Volleyball as the most popular women’s sport to watch on television. Additionally, Beach Volleyball has been added as a NCAA sport as a Title IX sport to give female athletes more opportunities. There are now scholarship opportunities for Beach Volleyball players and FSU has one on the best programs in the nation. The FHSAA has not sanctioned Beach Volleyball yet but some schools have recently stated programs.
In fact, Carrollton, Cushman, Florida Christian, and Westminster just concluded a short inaugural middle school season.  Their championship was held at Kennedy Park.  Westminster was crowned the champs.

You can contact the club at Phoenix_Beach_Volleyball@yahoo.com or 305-431-3939