By default, beach volleyball is normally associated with palm trees, 
glistening white sands, Pina Coladas, Adriatic winds, sun kissed bodies – thankfully, in Scotland – on the East Coast, we have our very own Porto, Porto Bello – a fantastic strip of the finest quality sandstone grain in the whole of Lothian. Dog walkers and treasure trovers normally have the run of the place but not this weekend.
For Season 2015, Scottish Volleyball has teamed up with FIVB (Federation Internationale De Volleyball) to homologate the Beach Volleyball Scotland Tour. This is a fantastic achievement for the SVA bringing such prestige to the Beach Volleyball Scotland Tour, this is also great for the players taking in this tour as it gives them the opportunity to compete for FIVB ranking points and appear on the FIVB website as a Beach Volleyball player. The top 8 teams on the Beach Volleyball Tour Event will receive WORLD POINTS.
The Beach Volleyball Scotland team and NUVOC Volleyball Club will roll into action early Saturday morning to set up the show courts, marquee and the PA system all in preparation for what is destined to be a scorcher of a championship weekend.
“We’re expecting some great competition this weekend with players from all over Scotland taking to the sand at Portobello for the second leg of the Scottish Beach Volleyball Tour” Gerry MacDonald, Event Organiser “Not only are the players competing for gold and prize money at these Championship but for the first time ever they will be eligible for FIVB world ranking points – this is fantastic.”
As in previous years it is expected to be a cosmopolitan affair. Players from America, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, France, India and Spain partnered players from England, Belgium, Italy, China, Russia and Scotland. Some formidable duos will be created -ready to battle it out on the sand.
JUNIOR REGIONAL BEACH CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Junior regional beach championships will take place on the Saturday alongside the Championship event. Anyone who has been attensding the regional beach development sessiuons is encouraged to find a partner and register before Thursday’s Deadline. You can register via the website, instructions below.
SATURDAY REGISTRATION
For the Saturday competition there will be Division 1 & Division 2 for the Men’s 2s and one Division for the Women. Registration for Saturday 2’s competition closes on Thursday 11th June (no late entries will be accepted) – register online by visiting here. You should note that both you and your prospective partner must be registered as a member of the SVA – you can do this online. Make sure you read the step by step guide to take you through.
MIXED 2s & MIXED 4s – SUNDAY 14TH JUNE….
Last years Mixed 2s & Mixed 4s Sunday event was awesome. This year we’re making it bigger and better. More teams, more banter, more bacon rolls, more music, more fun. Get you and your volleyball friends together and get your team down to Portobello for 9.30 on Sunday morning – registration on the day £12 per team for both mixed 2s and mixed 4s.
And remember a really good name for your team makes you stand out from the crowd and makes the MCs job a lot harder…. Here’s some from last year… Absolutely Fabios, Okayyyy, Maia’s Minders, Hornets, Sons of Beaches, Not Scott, 3 is Better than 2, The Super Awesome Crowd, Clydesiders – these were the starters at last years Edinburgh Mixed 4s Championships. All finely tuned athletes who readied themselves in the early hours for what turned out to be their first beach marathon of the year – AWESOME.
Look forward to seeing you all down at Portobello this weekend. It’s going to be a belter.
Cheers
Gerry MacDonald
NUVOC VOLLEYBALL CLUB
Event Organiser
Edinburgh Beach Championships