Sports Features

Great Yarmouth's Central Beach will play host the national Volleyball England Beach Tour in a two-day event on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 August, 2007.

The tour makes its second visit to the resort after the town hosted a hugely successful event in 2006.

Teams from University of East Anglia and Lowestoft will be waving the region's flag in the event.

The weekend meeting will feature a range of competitions, showcasing some of the country's top talent.

Top talent

"We've got seven out of the country's top 10 women competing," said event organiser Keith Nicholls.

Included in that talented list is one of British Beach Volleyball's brightest prospects.

"Lucy Boulton normally plays on the World Tour but as she doesn't have an event this weekend she'll be at Yarmouth entering the pairs competition with her sister.

"She is part of the Great Britain team preparing for the Beijing Olympics," said Keith.

Beach volleyball in Great Yarmouth

The main event will be the pairs competition that takes place over both days.

Those who occupy the top 20 places in the rankings table come the end of the tour will qualify for the grand finale in Brighton on Saturday, 2 September.

The sport of volleyball began in Southern California in the 1920's and over the last 80 years it has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in the USA, Brazil, Australia and Greece.

Come and try sessions

It's not just the big names in volleyball will be competing on Great Yarmouth's sands.

On Sunday recreational players will form teams of four and the quartets will battle it out and spectators to the free event are encouraged to participate in Come And Try sessions.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council are delighted to welcome the tour back to their beaches.

"This is an exciting event encouraging sports participation within the Borough," said said Graham Plant, council member for regeneration and tourism.

"Such events are important to us in building the town's reputation as a festival destination," he added.

The volleyball event takes place Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 August, 2007 on Great Yarmouth Central Beach, by the Britannia Pier.

Matches begin at 9.30am on the Saturday and 9am on the Sunday.