MARGATE MASTERS

Potential Olympic competitors will be heading to Margate this summer to take part in the Margate Masters National Beach Volleyball tournament.

Voted as the Best Tour Event for the last two years by the players and officials of Volleyball England, it gives local people and visitors the chance to see top international players performing on their doorstep for free.

Organised by Thanet District Council’s Sport Matters team and sponsored by Hornby, it’s one of only four stops on the Volleyball England Beach Tour, and is being held on Margate Main Sands between Friday 8 July and Sunday 10 July.

The Friday begins with an East Kent schools competition, which is a pilot for the new Sainsbury’s UK School Games, taking place in Sheffield in September. The elite competition gets underway on Saturday 9 July. The sport’s top men and women from both the UK and abroad are once again expected to be showing off their serving and volleying skills in Margate, complimented by full match commentary, music and the chance for spectators to win great prizes in competitions. 

Finals will be played on Sunday 10 June, with the women’s finals taking place at 1.30pm, followed by the men’s final at 3pm.

As well as watching the action in the free grandstand seating, you can also get involved. There will be a free coaching zone where families can learn how to play the game and have a go on the courts themselves. If you fancy more of a challenge, you can take part in the local standard competition on Sunday morning. Teams of 2-a-side or 4-a-side are welcome, with great prizes to be won. You can enter at www.thanet.gov.uk/sport

Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “The Margate Masters is now one of the top events in Thanet each summer and for good reason. It’s an amazing opportunity for local people to see top international sportsmen and women performing in a national competition on their doorstep. With London 2012 just around the corner, this year could see appearances from those who’ll be competing in next year’s Olympics. It’s also a superb spectator event, as shown by the fact that the Margate Masters has walked off with the title of Best Tour Event for the last two years.”

Alex Balzaretti, Project Director London 2012 at Hornby, said: “Hornby are proud to sponsor the Margate Masters for a second year.  With little over a year to go before our country hosts the greatest sporting event on earth, the London Olympic games, Hornby launches their London 2012 Official merchandise. We are thrilled to be associated with an event that brings beach volleyball, an Olympic event to our doorstep.”

For more information, visit either www.thanet.gov.uk/sport or www.volleyballengland.org/beach