A record number of Volleyballers will descend on Bunbury’s Koombana Bay this April with Volleyball WA and Volleyball Australia set to host the inaugural Volley by the Bay event. More than 1,500 people are expected to visit the nine day volleyball festival, with Volley by the Bay already breaking junior participation records for Beach Volleyball in Australia.

The newly established west coast Volleyball festival will encompass the Australian U23 and Junior Beach Volleyball Championships, as well as the Alcohol. Think Again WA Beach Tour. A record breaking 125 teams from around the country have confirmed their spot in the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships. An additional three international teams from New Zealand and Vanuatu are also set to compete at the junior event.

“The record number of entrants for the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships is a testament to Volleyball’s growing profile in Australian sport. This participation record reaffirms Volleyball’s contribution to school aged sport and should be celebrated nationwide as a major milestone in the sport’s development.” President of Volleyball Australia Craig Carracher said.

The 128 teams have eclipsed the previous record set last year at the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships in Scarborough by more than 30 teams. Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the event was one of the biggest sporting events to come to Bunbury.

“The inclusion of Volley by the Bay in this year’s events calendar is a huge boom for the Bunbury Geographe region.” Mayor Brennan said.

“It will bring enormous benefits to Bunbury – both economically and by encouraging participation in sports – not to mention showcasing our great city to visiting athletes and their friends and families who will get to experience the paradise that is our city.”

Working alongside the City of Bunbury, Volley by the Bay is also set to deliver sport education and community development activities along Koombana Bay. Focusing on the event’s legacy, Volleyball WA are determined to work closely with local clubs and businesses to help promote Volleyball to the wider south-west community.

“We are thrilled to launch Volley by the Bay in Bunbury. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Volleyball and WA’s south-west region. This event is a legacy project for Volleyball WA, Bunbury Volleyball Association and Bunbury Indoor Beach Volleyball, so we can’t wait to share our sport with the local community.” Kuhl said.

Entries are still open for the Australian U23 Beach Volleyball Championships and Alcohol. Think Again WA Beach Tour. You can find more information about entries for these events at Volleyball WA’s event page: www.volleyballwa.com.au/volley-by-the-bay/

Volley by the Bay is a nine day event starting on Saturday the 21st of April with the Alcohol. Think Again WA Beach tour, followed by the Australian U23 Beach Volleyball Championships on the 23rd and the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships running from the 26th til the 29th of April.