The Scottish Junior Beach Championships 2023 were a resounding success, held at the fantastic Kyle Academy in Ayr. The event, which spanned two sunny days, featured the best young beach volleyball talent in Scotland, with the boys competing on Saturday and the girls on Sunday.
Mother Nature smiled upon the championships, gracing Saturday with brilliant sunshine from dawn till dusk. Sunday started a bit cloudy but cleared up beautifully by lunchtime, creating perfect conditions for thrilling matches.
In the U18 category, teams battled fiercely through a challenging pool phase, with finals ultimately determining the top four teams. Meanwhile, the U22 boys displayed their mettle by facing off against every competing team before the intense finals. The U22 girls’ competition was equally exciting, featuring two intense pools, followed by crossover semi-finals and playoffs for all participating teams.
The championship results were as follows:
Men’s Divisions:
U22: 1st Place: Matthew Allan and Harry Orr 2nd Place: Euan Anderson and Elkan Lau 3rd Place: Ben Mackay and Aayush Gharti
U18: 1st Place: Keir and Calum 2nd Place: Adam and Gabriel 3rd Place: Owen and Sandy
Women’s Divisions:
U22: 1st Place: Sasha Clegg-McKeown and Iona Bell 2nd Place: Karolina Wroblewska and Jessica Gillies 3rd Place: Ellie Wylie and Lucy Paterson
U18: 1st Place: Eva and Jemma 2nd Place: Danny and Lauren 3rd Place: Brooke/Zoe and Kirsty/Holly
Blair Pettigrew, Interim Head of Performance Beach Volleyball, praised the event, stating, “The Scottish Junior Beach Championships 2023 showcased the incredible depth of talent in our young athletes. We witnessed truly strong performances from numerous pairs, highlighting the dedication and hard work put into our Beach programme. This event is a testament to the program’s successes and its role in nurturing the future stars of Scottish beach volleyball.”
The Scottish Junior Beach Championships 2023 were a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of young beach volleyball players in Scotland. The event’s success promises an even brighter future for the sport in the region. We extend our congratulations to all participants and look forward to the next exciting edition of this championship.