Volleyball is one of the top five sports in the world with over 200 federations affiliated to the International Federation. With significant increases in government funding for a new Volleyball England Strategic Plan (2009-13) together with the prospect of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, Volleyball has never been in such an exciting position.
With a specific fund targeting Greater London and the surrounding areas, following the huge success of the test event on Horseguards Parade and with the anticipation of an increase in the interest surrounding Beach Volleyball in particular Volleyball England is pleased to announce the launch of its 2012 beach facilities initiative aimed at capturing this potential and developing more opportunities to experience the game.
‘go spike!’ Beach Hubs – As a key strand of our ‘go spike!’ legacy drive to increase adult recreational participation, the ‘Beach Hubs’ initiative invites clubs, community groups and local authorities to introduce exciting new opportunities for beach sport activity and breathe new life into current outdoor facilities. Permanent beach facilities are being introduced at a range of sites including coastal, inland in urban areas, linked with educational establishments or with a view to commercial operation. If you’re a council looking for low maintenance ideas to enhance current facility stock when budgets are tight or a club aware of existing outdoor spaces that may be under-used or have fallen into disrepair why not consider converting them into ‘go spike!’ Beach Hubs.
In 2011 the sand legacy project in cooperation with Sport England, LOCOG and local partners, utilising sand from the Olympic Games saw the successful development and launch of 3 beach sites (7 Beach Volleyball courts) at various locations across London including Crystal Palace, Westminster and Waltham Forest.
Planning your Beach Hub – Volleyball England have prepared a comprehensive set of technical guidance notes that illustrate an innovative ‘low impact’ construction method that takes advantage of existing structures and utilises recycled materials. With this approach converting an existing hard court facility can be accomplished in a matter of weeks, with minimal capital outlay, on going maintenance and has the potential to triple potential for participation numbers.
Funding for your Beach Hub – A number of varying grants (including capital and legacy sand) are available for club/local authority/educational partners to work alongside Volleyball England in developing ‘go spike!’ Beach Hubs.
If you are interested in applying to be a part of this Olympic Legacy initiative please download, duly fill in and return an Expression of Interest to beachfacilities@volleyballengland.org by Friday 13th January 2012.
Alternatively- Sport England ‘Inspired Facilities’ fund has £50 million of National Lottery funding invested in up to 1,000 local sports facilities. Clubs, community and voluntary sector groups and councils were able to apply for grants to modernise, extend or modify existing facilities to open up new sporting opportunities. The second round of this funding opens in February 2012 – for more information see www.sportengland.org/facilities
For a hard copy of the technical guidance notes email beachfacilities@volleyballengland.org or call us on 01509 227722. For further information please visit the beach facilities home page.
We thank you in advance of your application and look forward to working with interested partners to deliver a fantastic legacy for Beach Volleyball.
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On Thursday 8th December 2011 the Beach Facilities webpage went live and along with a press release from PR Promote marked the official opening of 2012/13 Beach Capital applications.
A munificent bequest of 5000 tonnes of Olympic Sand has been made by LOCOG to support Volleyball England in establishing permanent Beach Volleyball venues (as per the Volleyball England Strategic Plan) and to secure a tangible legacy as a result of hosting the games. London and the surrounding area will once again be the targeted for the 2012/13 round of applications.
Please forward the below email to anyone who may have an interest in the development of permanent beach courts. The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is Friday January 13th 2012.
Kind Regards,
Holly Fairclough
Volleyball England
D: 01509 227731
F 01509 227733
E: h.fairclough@volleyballengland.org
www.volleyballengland.org
