It has been officially confirmed that beach volleyball will be part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
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The Commonwealth members voted to officially ratify the decision to include the sport.
“It is fantastic to receive the final confirmation that beach volleyball will star at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,” says Volleyball England CEO, Janet Inman. “We’re delighted that Commonwealth members voted to make the sport part of the Games.
“We want to help make the Games a fantastic spectacle which Birmingham can be proud of. It’s also a huge opportunity for the sport to create a lasting legacy for beach volleyball. The Commonwealth Games is such a brilliant platform to showcase why beach volleyball is such a great sport and inspire future generations to get into volleyball.
“Seeing our most talented performers representing England home sand will be a truly special occasion. We’re thankful to Birmingham and Commonwealth Games Federation for the opportunity – the hard work starts now to ensure we make the most of it.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will open in the second city on 27thJuly 2022. As hosts, England will automatically qualify for the women’s and men’s beach volleyball competition.
ON HOME SOIL
The confirmation that beach volleyball will star at the Games comes at a really exciting time for English volleyball with a great crop of rising stars in the game.
England number one women’s pair Jess Grimson and Vicky Palmer have been competing at FIVB World Tour level and recently captured another Weymouth beach title on the Volleyball England Beach Tour.
While Ellie Austin and Anaya Evans are the up and coming talents in the women’s game. The pair have been competing at World Tour level and have been gaining vital experience, with the highlight of them winning a historic World Tour bronze.
The England men’s team are also in good shape three years away from a huge home Games. The team of Chris Gregory, Issa Batrane, Phil Smith and Javier Bello qualified for the second round of the Continental Cup, a competition which holds a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the overall winners.
After missing the Continental Cup through injury, Joaquin Bello has been back playing with his brother Javier at FIVB World Tour level.
So England should two well-prepared and great teams to represent the nation in the second city. Ten years on hosting the Olympic Games, beach volleyball will be back at a major games in Britain. It promises to be a superb occasion.
FIND OUT MORE: https://www.volleyballengland.org