Spectators will be able to attend for free with some matches live streamed
NEVZA Beach England (Seniors)(Image: Jon Cornish/Volleyball England)
England will stage its first ever World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) volleyball event in Bridlington this year, with world-class players travelling to East Yorkshire for the event. Volleyball England will partner with East Riding Council and local club Skyball Beach Volleyball Club to deliver the competition from Thursday to Sunday, June 25 to 28.
The event follows the ongoing development of the infrastructure needed to stage top level tournaments. The NEVZA Youth Beach Championships for U18 and U20 players was held in Bridlington in 2023, as well as the 2024 NEVZA Beach England for senior players.
Spectators will be able to attend free of charge, while a selection of matches will be live streamed. Councillor Nick Coultish, East Riding cabinet member for culture, leisure, said: “We are delighted to welcome this brand-new event to Bridlington and build upon our long-standing partnership with Volleyball England.
“We look forward to welcoming some of world’s best volleyball players to East Yorkshire. This high-profile international event will provide a huge tourism boost to our local businesses as well as attracting international visitors.”
As hosts, a strong contingent of England players are guaranteed entry into the male and female events, with a maximum of three teams from the host country, excluding wild cards, able to enter the main draw of both the men’s and women’s tournaments. A fourth team from the host country may also enter the qualification tournament provided it has enough ranking points calculated at its point of entry, otherwise the team will be placed on the reserve list.
READ MORE: It’s all go at Bridlington beach as volleyball, 5k and Fun Run return this summer
Pete Makowski, co-founder of Skyball and lead coach at The Gorse Academies Trust, said: “The Beach Pro Tour is the highest level of beach volleyball competition on the world stage, contested by athletes from a multitude of countries. Having some of the top players globally in attendance is seen as an ideal chance to inspire future generations of players both across Yorkshire and the country as a whole. “
Rob Payne, Volleyball England’s strategy manager for an Ace Service, said: “We have shown over the last two years that Bridlington is a fantastic destination for beach volleyball and we are proud and excited to have now earned the opportunity to stage an elite level event in the town, With some amazing male and female players from across the globe, we hope that the volleyball community across the country is able to come out and support and make them feel welcome.
“This is a landmark moment for us in our bid to make the sport more visible in the UK and we would like to thank the FIVB for allowing us to showcase what we have to offer.” Roko Sikirić, CEV president, said: “I am pleased to see that beach volleyball is gaining momentum and expanding its reach with the delivery of the first event of this calibre in England and across the whole of the UK.
“We are confident this showcase of the game will inspire many people to follow it more closely and hopefully the local youngsters will be inspired to pursue a career in the sport, thereby following in the footsteps of the highly successful Bello twins – Javier and Joaquin.” Businesses interested in partnering with the event to support it are encouraged to email competitions@volleyballengland.org for more information.