Following the tour’s debut in Mandurah last season, the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Volleyball Tour will travel south to the region again for Round Four of the 2021/2022 season. The event will be held at a new location this year, Pyramids Beach in Dawesville on January 22 & 23, bringing locals a taste of the excitement of beach volleyball.
“We are looking forward to bringing this event back to Mandurah following such a warm welcome from local Mandurah residents last year. Our new Strategic Plan 2022-2025 has a strong focus on regional growth of the game so Mandurah presents a wonderful opportunity to get things started and showcase our local clubs,” said Volleyball WA CEO Robyn Kuhl.
Pyramids Beach is popular with locals and tourists. Boasting pumping swell and exciting beach events like ours, it guarantees plenty of entertainment both in the water on and on the sand.
A mixed bag of winners in the Elite Men’s and Women’s competition so far has kept each tournament exciting and unpredictable.
Players to watch include Tessa Anderson on the women’s side, who has won three out of the last four beach events she has played, and is coming into Mandurah as the number one seed with partner Jackie Tamburri. Shelby Maher, who went undefeated for ten straight competitions across the past two seasons, collected her first win of the 2021/2022 season last round, and is hoping to restart the winning streak this weekend with partner and Mandurah local, Melissa Kennedy. Fighting for another gold this season will also be round one winner, Jana Orszaghova with new partner Kyla Sanchez, and round two winner, Jasmine Serra with new partner Caitlin Whincup. Both teams are sitting at third and fourth seed, respectively.
For the men, Gabriel Abbott has two gold medals under his belt so far this season and is hoping to collect his third win this weekend with a new partner, Griffin Bateman. Number one seeds and round two winners, Daniel Piggott and Maksim Bacovic will be coming out strong to collect their second win as a team, as well as number two seeds Ky Landers and Tom Heptinstall, who just missed out on gold to Abbott in the last round. Round Four will also feature Mandurah local, Artem Ipatyev and partner Gareth Whitehead who have collected one silver medal this season and will play their third round together as a team.
“We thank naming rights sponsor Healthway for their support of the tour and we are happy to be taking their Alcohol. Think Again message out into the regions.
We also thank the City of Mandurah for helping to bring this event to their region again. Playing volleyball in its many forms and leading a healthy and happy lifestyle is so very important in these challenging times.” Kuhl added.
Following this event is the WA Open at Scarborough Beach on February 5 & 6, where athletes are competing for a State title and a cash prize. For more information about this event or any others on the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Tour, please visit www.volleyballwa.com.au or contact the Volleyball WA office on 9228 8522.
Main Image : DreamPic