New Zealand’s Fusion Volleyball Club has returned home triumphant after an undefeated campaign at an international volleyball tournament hosted by Astrohigh Volleyball Club in South Korea from 14–15 June 2025.
The Christchurch-based team, made up of 11 teenage athletes from Auckland, Christchurch, and the wider South Island, impressed with a dominant 6–0 record during the two-day round-robin event in Goseong-gun, a coastal province roughly 3.5 hours from Seoul.
After an intensive training camp led by their Korean hosts, Fusion took to the court against six other teams from South Korea and Australia. Their final showdown was a nail-biting match against Sydney United, a familiar rival, where Fusion held their nerve to seal victory in three hard-fought sets: 23–25, 25–23, 15–12.
Head Coach Paolo Valencia, who hails from Auckland, praised his players’ heart and resilience.
“Being a first-time international coach, I didn’t really have any expectations,” Valencia said. “I just told the boys to enjoy the experience and take in everything they could. We played with energy, had fun, and the wins just came. I feel super lucky to have been part of it with such an awesome group.”
The team’s cohesion was built not just on the court, but also through cultural exchange and shared experiences in South Korea, moments that players say will stay with them forever.
Sixteen-year-old team captain James Bandasak, from Christchurch, reflected on the balance of competition and camaraderie:
“On the court, the competition in Korea was intense from the start. Each match pushed us to play smarter, better, and with more trust. We went in thinking we were just there to gain experience, but we ended up winning every game and proving to ourselves that we could compete at that level,” Bandasak said.
“Off the court, it was just as special. Being teens exploring a new country, bonding over food, sharing rooms, joking around, it brought us closer and made the whole trip unforgettable.”
Fusion Volleyball Club was founded in 2016 by Camille Bermundo, who also served as lead organiser for the club’s first international campaign.
“To see our team go from training in Christchurch and Auckland to standing on the podium in South Korea is a dream realized,” said Bermundo. “We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved and excited for what’s next.”
Maffie Angeles, the team’s Event Manager, said the international gathering was about more than sport.
“It was an honour to be part of such a vibrant, competitive, and respectful tournament,” Angeles said. “The boys played with heart, and the memories made will stay with them forever.”
