Beach volleyball is played in tournaments across the world – last month’s Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Switzerland is seen here. Photo: PETER SCHNEIDER/EPA
SOME of the world’s best volleyball players will be in action on Torquay’s beaches this coming summer, following the announcement of a major tournament supported by the state government.
Announced today (Friday, July 29) by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, the Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest 2022 will run from November 23 to December 4 and comprises the Volleyball World Pro Beach Tour and Australian Beach Volleyball Tour.
The men’s and women’s events will attract about 450 competitors and support crew from around the world, with thousands of spectators expected to attend.
The international Beach Pro Tour features the world’s top elite teams, with the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour event one of six premier elite domestic events staged around the country.
The competition will attract thousands of visitors to regional Victoria before the summer peak, supporting jobs and filling hotels, cafes and restaurants along the Surf Coast.
The events will be delivered by Volleyball Australia at a temporary event village on Elephant Walk, featuring competition courts, training courts, grandstands, entertainment, and sport development opportunities.
Torquay and the Surf Coast will be showcased throughout the event’s broadcast into more than 70 countries around the world.
The Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest is expected to help build interest in the sport ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“The Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest will attract thousands of visitors to Torquay for 12 days of spectacular competition and entertainment down on the foreshore, supporting more local business and delivering more jobs,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“We’re backing a jam-packed calendar of major events in 2022 that showcase Victoria as the ultimate tourism destination, while cementing our title as the sporting and events capital of Australia.”
Volleyball Australia chief executive officer Andrew Dee said his organisation was thrilled to launch the Great Ocean Road Beach Volleyfest, which would bring together pinnacle international and domestic events into one sporting showcase.
“With the start of the Green and Gold runway towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games, we are thrilled to be attracting more international events to Victoria to provide not only our athletes with the chance to compete on home soil but also offer fans the chance to experience the best our sport has to offer.”
South Barwon MP Darren Cheesman welcomed the announcement.
“We’re supporting local businesses and local jobs, offering visitors even more reasons to discover everything there is to love on Victoria’s Surf Coast,” he said.