VLY Beach Tour – Info Bulletin 03/08/23
Due to the poor weather throughout the mid-part of the Summer, a number of Beach Tour events have been cancelled. This bulletin provides an update on the revised calendar and also some key information relating to Ballybunion and the Beach Club Championships.
Calendar
Due to the recent poor weather and event cancellations the BTMC are revising the current VLY Beach Tour calendar and are looking to make a number of changes to ensure that we can deliver a strong competition calendar this Summer, taking advantage of the improved forecast for September. The finalised calendar will be published next week but is expected to include new events on August 13th and September 16th. September 2nd may host the Club Championship Finals, and the 3rd will be a reserve day for any cancelled events. The proposed Ballybunion event may relocate (see point below).
Ballybunion
The Ballybunion tour event is currently planned for August 26-27th. However, to maximise participation there is a possibility this event may relocate. We are keen to understand how many teams have made firm plans to travel to Co. Kerry. Please take a moment to fill out the Google Forms attached below. This will help inform our decision making.
Ballybunion – https://forms.gle/3vG4by93S2PrWj1L9
Beach Club Championships
The VLY Beach Club Championships is a new, exciting and innovative competition (FAQs below). The winners will progress to the European Club Finals in October, with a prize pot of €10,000. We are actively looking for expressions of interests for teams of 4, or pairs, to participate in the first ever VLY Club Championships.
If you are interested please review the info below and complete this survey before Tuesday Aug 8th > https://forms.gle/Ko2ovVAoSkqPiTiV6
Once we’ve gathered all expressions of interest, final plans and rules will be circulated.
Your prompt response to this mail is greatly appreciated, as it will help us make necessary adjustments and arrangements to provide the best experience possible for everyone involved. In case of any changes in your plans or any questions related to the events, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Beach Club Championships Info
The Club Championships operates in a Nations Cup Style format. Clubs or Groups come together as 2 x teams of pairs, battling against other teams.
How does it work? – Once the clubs are entered, a fixture list will be created. The format will depend on the entries, whether round-robin or double-elimination. It might be a straight knockout. Each team will compete in two pairs. Pair 1 in Team A will play Pair 1 in Team B. Pair 2 in Team A will then play Pair 2 in Team B. You get 1pt for each match you win for your team. If it’s 1:1, a golden game will determine which team wins. You can enter as a team of 4 or join as a pair, and we’ll match you up with another pair. Individuals cannot register.
Who is it for? – There’ll be a Men’s club champs and a Women’s competition. Any adult who has a playing license with Volleyball Ireland can compete.
When is it happening? – The fixture list will be finalised once the entry is complete. The intention is to play most matches on midweek evenings in Dublin. For teams based outside of the capital, weekend fixtures will be arranged. The Winners will be crowned before the first weekend in September. The vast majority of matches will take place in August.
Why is it happening? – We want more beach volleyball, right?? This model gives players born abroad a chance to represent Ireland and allows us to build the foundations of Beach Volleyball clubs, which will have many benefits to grow the sport.
Entry: Complete the expression of interest form before August 8th. You can enter as a predefined club (min 4 players, max 6 players) or as a pair, and we’ll allocate you a club to represent.
FAQ:
Do I need to be part of a club to play?
-No, this is the starting point in Beach Club development. Register your interest, and we’ll go from there.
How much is it to play?
-There’ll be no cost. All players must have a VLY license, though. The national champions will progress to European competition, where travel costs will be associated. Volleyball Ireland will support the winning clubs in year 1. There is €10,000 of prize money available in the European finals.
What is the level of play?
-We expect club matches to be 2* level, so all players should be competitive at this level.
What else is Volleyball Ireland doing to help?
-We’ll create brand identities for each team and promote each player and club. We’ll provide a portable net system so teams can train and organise the matches. We’ll also provide a financial contribution for the winning teams that travel abroad to represent Ireland.
How do I register?
-Complete the expression of interest form. We’ll confirm entries next week and get to work on the fixture list, format, and competition rules. Completing the expression of interest form does not guarantee admission.
ENDS
