Vancouver, January 18th 2012 – Volleyball BC announced today that Spanish Beach in Vancouver will host the 2012 Canadian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships August 17-19. It is the first time since 2001 that the event will be held in Vancouver.
“We are extremely pleased to be named the host for this year’s championships,’’ said Chris Densmore, Volleyball BC’s Executive Director. “Spanish Beach is a great location and a high quality venue and will be a fantastic place to showcase our exciting sport.” Competition will be held for men and women in the 14 and under, 16 and under, 18 and under, and 21 and under categories.
The competition is a major highlight in the beach volleyball season and traditionally attracts Canada’s top beach players. Past Canadian champions have gone on to win gold and silver medals at youth world championships in recent years, including Ontario’s Sam Schachter, Garrett May, Melissa Humana-Peredes and Victoria Altomare. BC has sent a few athletes of its own to world championships, including Nick Del Bianco and Ben Chow of Langley, BC. “I am so excited to be able to compete at Nationals in Vancouver,” said 2010 18U national champion Nick Del Bianco, “Vancouver has great beaches and BC has so many talented athletes who can’t wait to compete in 2012 on home sand.”
BC athletes will be expected to take home a number of medals in 2012 after winning a total of 4 tier 1 medals in 2011, including Kristoffer McCrea/Zachary Or (bronze medalists 16U), Megan McNamara/Nicole McNamara (gold medalists 16U) , Kristof Schlagintweit/Jeremy Lieuwen (bronze medalists 18U), and Denise Wooding/Alyssa Wolf (silver medalists 18U).
Volleyball BC expects to host up to 160 teams on 45 courts. 2 feature courts with music, dj’s, announcers and sponsor booths will be built for the event which is expected to attract thousands of fans over the course of the 3 day tournament. Matches will begin at 9am on Friday, August 17th and medal matches will take on Sunday, August 19th.
More details on the competition are still to come. Visit www.volleyballbc.ca to stay updated.
About Volleyball BC
Established in 1965, Volleyball BC (www.volleyballbc.ca) is the official governing body and provides the organizational structure for the sport of Volleyball in the province of British Columbia. Volleyball BC is involved in every facet of the sport by offering programs at all levels for both indoor and beach volleyball. The organization strives to provide all BC residents with fair and equal access to participation and personal growth through recreational, competitive, elite, instructional, administrative, coaching and officiating programs.
BRIAN HIEBERT
Volleyball BC
Communications Manager
Tel: 604-291-2007 x 226
Email: [email protected]