OFF-SEASON improvements are critical for Poulshot’s rising beach volleyball star Yasmin Kaashoek as she sets her sights on the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Shortly after the beach season ended, Kaashoek was back playing the indoor version of the sport as she is determined to focus on getting stronger for what is set to be a pivotal year in her court career. Kaashoek is waiting on finalised details from Volleyball England so she can plan her training around the team’s training camps.

But while there may not be a gap in matches, Kaashoek is not taking her foot off the pedal.

She said: “During my off-seasons I am mainly in the gym and breaking down exercises to improve my technique and get stronger for next year.

“The international dates haven’t been released yet but I hope to compete at the European U19 Championships next year.

“My long term goal is the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“We are currently waiting on plans from Volleyball England to be released for training camps and preparation.”

Kaashoek is in her final year at school in LeAf Academy, Bournemouth, and is balancing her training as an elite athlete with her university ambitions.

She has formed a close partnership with Anaya Evans, with whom she has competed most of her international career on the sand.

Kaashoek added: “I have had three years with England beach volleyball and I have spent my whole time with Anaya.

“It’s great because we’re the same age and so we are at the same stage at school.

“We don’t train together as much as we’d like to because she lives three hours away in Devon.

“In the beach programme training camps we always chop and change partners to develop as players.”

Kaashoek is targeting the 2017 Under 19 European Championships as an event in which the hard work over the winter months pays dividends.

Beyond 2017, she has her eyes on a place in England’s Commonwealth Games team to travel to the Gold Coast in Australia in 2018.

She said: “There are quite a few more women that are close to getting in the team. I’ll be 19 at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and will have been with Volleyball England for more than four years.

“I am hoping to go to university next year and Bournemouth (University) has a good volleyball programme. I have considered studying sports management and I have also thought about the RAF.”

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