The four-strong contingent set to serve up aces in beach volleyball at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games has today been confirmed by Commonwealth Games Australia.

Delivering teams in both the men’s and women’s competition, it will be Mitchell Croft and Jett Rocker-Graham donning the green and gold alongside their female teammates Jasmine Rayner and Cameron Zajer.

“Hearing that I’ve been selected to go to the Commonwealth Youth Games is very surreal, as I have always wanted to represent my country,” Rayner said.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity. To put on the green and gold at such a young age is something I am very proud of.”

Croft echoed Rayner’s sentiment, acknowledging the opportunity competition provides and the sentiment that it carries.

“Being selected for a Commonwealth Youth Games is a dream for a lot of people, including me, and I am very fortunate for the opportunity,” Croft said.

“The honour to represent Australia gives me the guts and determination to win for not only myself but the Aussies that back me.”

First introduced to the youth program in 2017, the Australian women’s pair of Rebecca Ingram and Carrie van Rensburg at that Games combined to claim gold, while Mark Nicolaidis and James Takken took home the bronze medal.

“The four athletes which went to the Bahamas in 2017 brought home both medals and an incredible sporting experience which they’ll never forget,” Paul Smith, Performance Pathways Manager at Volleyball Australia, said.

“The opportunity to pull on the green and gold and play in a multi-sport event is one which doesn’t come around often, and I know Mitchell, Jett, Cameron and Jasmine will do Australia proud when they head to the Caribbean later this year.

“Our teenage players rarely get the opportunity to play internationally, so for these four athletes it is a real privilege but one which they absolutely deserve.”

Pigeon Point Beach in Tobago will welcome the volleyballers of the world, with 18 nations to compete in 56 games across six days on 5-10 August.

Australia will look to defend its gold medal from 2017 in the women’s competition, while the men’s team will duel with a broad field that includes Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.