This weekend, some of the top beach volleyball players in the world will compete at Wollman Rink, thanks to its transformation with 300 tons of sand trucked into Central Park. On July 19 and 20, teams will take part in the sixth event of the 2025 Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) league season.
Among the participants will be Canadian beach volleyball player Brandie Wilkerson, currently the only Black woman competing on the AVP tour. Last year, she and teammate Melissa Humana-Paredes won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, the first-ever medal for a Canadian women’s beach volleyball team and the highest-ever medal won by a Canadian team (John Child and Mark Heese won bronze in 1996). Their epic journey to the final left a lasting impact on Wilkerson as an athlete and a person.
“There were so many things that made that Olympic experience amazing,” said Wilkerson, who also competed in Tokyo in 2021. “Obviously, what every athlete enjoys, which is being able to share an Olympic moment with friends, families, and fans in a city that was catering to the athletes’ needs to make us feel very special. After all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices, this is such a beautiful way to celebrate that.”
Wilkerson and Humana-Paredes, who play for the Palm Beach Passion, are looking forward to experiencing their sport in Central Park. With the Olympic beach volleyball being held near the Eiffel Tower, the sport can increasingly be found in innovative locations.
“It will be extremely magical; Central Park is iconic,” said Wilkerson, who has her sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “I’ve always loved New York City. Growing up in Toronto, it’s a very familiar kind of energy … It seems beach volleyball is trending toward being in these iconic venues because of how special this sport is. Having beach volleyball in more diverse places opens up [its exposure].”
Wilkerson wants to see more people play beach volleyball, and if her presence can help bring greater diversity, she will feel fulfilled. “We want to see the sport grow,” she said. “We want to see diversity in the cities, in the people who play, in the fans. It’s a privilege and a responsibility to represent my culture and to have athletes relate to me and see themselves. You want to see everyone have a chance at this sport because it really is special.”