27th and 28th June 2009 – West Sands Beach, St Andrews
The Scottish Beach Volleyball Tour rolls into St Andrews this weekend. Where Portobello is a two day event, St Andrews is considered to be the only weekend event on the Scottish Tour. Most players stay overnight, and for one weekend 1, Golf Place, the famous St Andrews Pub becomes Scotland’s Beach Volleyball social scene.
There are plenty of options for staying overnight. The West Sands Beach Liaison Committee allows free overnight camping by the beach for Beach Volleyballers, showers available at St Andrews University Sports Centre. Then there is the new Hostel in St Andrews at £11 and £12 per night contact 01334 479911. And of course there is the St Andrews student accommodation 01334 476161 and 467000.
Borders artist John McPhail has produced a third set of original metal sculptures for the winners. Mel Coutts and Gillian Lyall are the only players with a set of trophies, but with Mel and Gillian on separate teams this year only one will have the chance to add a player serving to the player digging and volleying they already hold. However Gordon Teoh is bringing over a German girls team who train in Berlins indoor beach volleyball stadium. Perhaps this is the year when Mel and Gillian’s dominance at St Andrews will be broken. John McPhail has donated a new trophy ‘The Spirit of the Championships’ starting this year.
The Buff Div 1 Championship Tournament, www.Buffwear.co.uk is a 2 day event for both the Men and the Women.
The Buff Div 2 events are also both 2 day Tournaments.
The Wilson Junior Championships, www.wilson.com are Saturday only for both u18 men and women.
The recreational 4v4’s are a Saturday only Tournament.
Juniors and Recreational players who return on the Sunday will be given court space for practice games.
St Andrews is the best beach for introducing indoor volleyball players to Beach Volleyball. It is the flattest and has the finest sand, hence jumping is easier at St Andrews. This is the weekend for indoor players to try out the Beach game. Scottish men’s team players like Ally Galloway, Niall Collins, Vinnie Lyall, Steve Todd, Alan Krawzyck, Brian O’Neill, Steve Cruz and great club players, Gary McGuire, Mark Hudson, Phil Arnold, Stevie Milne, Ally Jack. Some of our best women’s players Lynsay Coburn, Claudia, Jill Runciman, Hazel Gow, Laura McCready and Jennifer Jones. Volleyball enthusiasts Craig Donaldson and all his Kinross team. There are so many others who could make a real impact at Beach Volleyball from Lenzie, Killie, Mets and others. Make St Andrews your start, enter at www.scottishvolleyball.org or for late entries please email us here.
Non stop music and commentary, support from Red Bull, Buff, 1 Golf Place, John McPhail and Wilson.
You have just gotta be there!
Colin McGinlay.
