Beach volleyballs brightest talents are digging their toes into the Mount Maunganui sand in preparation for an assault on the world championship stage later this year.

More than 50 junior volleyballers are testing their skills at the three-day talent identification camp that runs until Saturday, under the scrutinising eye of national convenors and coaches.

Volleyball New Zealand Under 19 convenor Darrell Boyd instructs a group of junior volleyballers at the Volleyball NZ talent identification camp. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The nationwide camp boasts Under 19, 17 and 15 players from Nelson, Christchurch, Whangarei, New Plymouth and the Bay of Plenty.

Volleyball New Zealand Under 19, convenor Darrell Boyd, says the nationwide camp is a chance for the junior volleyballers to gain selection for the upcoming Under 17 World Championships and Youth Olympics.

'With the younger kids, the under 15's, it's a first chance to touch a beach volleyball so it's all about learning the skills,” says Darrell.

'With the under 17's we need to have a look at this group and have pre-selected a small group to come back on Saturday to trial for the two players to go to the world champs in Mexico in June so there is a bit on the line.”

In the under 19 girls division a further two will be selected for July's world championships in Porto, Portugal and two under 19 boys will represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympics in China in August.

Darrell admits there is some work needed to sharpen their skills ahead of heading to the world stage but is pleased with the latest crop of talent.

During the camp the players will be put through a series of basic skill session from hand setting, bunting and attack and defence drills ensuring they have a platform to launch their volleyball careers.

'When you look at where they will go to we have kids who have been to the world stage already and we have kids that are new and it's a pathway for them.

'We have certainly got those that we know are in the picture and we have a whole lot of new faces here that we don't know so it will be interesting where they sit.”