Margate Masters beach volleyball returns this July

Margate Main Sands is set to take centre stage once again this summer with the return of the national beach volleyball event, ‘Margate Masters’. Organised by Thanet District Council’s Sport Matters team, and sponsored by Hornby, the event is in its sixth year and was voted Best Tour Event in 2009, 2010 and 2011 by the players and officials of Volleyball England. This year’s free family friendly event takes place from Friday 6 July to Sunday 8 July, with play from 9am to 5pm, and is one of only four stops on the Volleyball England Beach Tour. The action kicks off on Friday 6 July with a schools competition, which will see schools from across Kent taking part, giving local young people the chance to play in the main arena. The elite competition then gets underway on Saturday 7 July, with the finals on Sunday 8 July.  As well as showcasing the country’s top volleyball talent, the matches will all have full commentary and entertainment including music, beach sports demonstrations and the chance for spectators to win great prizes in a host of competitions. Sunday also sees the return of the ‘Local Standard’ knockout event. The competition is open for anyone who wants to have a go at volleyball themselves and will be for teams of either two or four people, with mixed gender teams allowed. For more information about this year’s event please visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sport and enter your team. Sport and Leisure Officer, James Gregory, said: “Margate Masters already has a reputation as one of the best volleyball events in the UK which is fantastic. Hosting the event in Margate not only provides a stunning backdrop to view all the action, but is a great opportunity for local people to enjoy a national sports event right on their doorstep! As well as first class competitions over the weekend there’s also the chance to have a go on the community courts or in the coaching areas, so there’s really something for all interests at the event. With volleyball now rated as one of the top five spectator sports in the world, and a key part of this year’s Olympics, we’re thrilled to be hosting such an important event again.” Headline Sponsor Hornby Hobbies, Project Director London 2012 Alex Balzaretti said “ Hornby are proud to sponsor the Margate Masters for a third year.  With less then 2 months to go before the country hosts the greatest sporting event on earth, the London 2012 Games, and as Hornby London 2012 product lines hit the shelves in retail outlets throughout the UK, we are thrilled to be associated with an event that brings beach volleyball, an Olympic event to our doorstep”. For anyone who wants to get a little closer to the action, there are opportunities to volunteer over the weekend. To find out more, or to register your interest, please contact the Sport Matters team on 01843 577032. For more information about the event please visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sport or go to www.volleyballengland.org/beach