Jake Sheaf and Chris Gregory (already selected to represent Team GB at the inaugural European Games in Baku this summer) were joined by Philip Smith (TASS athlete, Bournemouth University) and Gregg Weaver in their bid to keep the Olympic Games in their sights. Sheaf/Gregory and Smith/Weaver secured England’s place in the next round with victories against Croatia by playing some of their best volleyball and not dropping a set and finishing 3rd place overall. Men’s coach Lewie Lett said that he was “Really happy with the performance of both teams and I’m very excited to see the draw [for the 4th round] and start preparing”
Despite being up against some of the best Senior beach teams in the world from Germany, Greece and Belarus England’s Palmer/Grimson were able to secure a sensational victory in the ‘golden match’ and seal England’s inclusion in the 4th round of the Continental Cup. Victoria Palmer said: “It is one of the biggest comebacks of our career, that’s for sure. They key point was in the second set of the second match, at which we didn’t give up and we managed to stay in the game. Normally we don’t do so well under pressure, but this time things were different and we are happy to have the opportunity to keep on playing in the Continental Cup.”
Jessica Grimson and Victoria Palmer (both Wessex) were selected after their performances in the 2nd round held in Edinburgh and were again joined by Yasmin Kaashoek (SportsAid athlete, LeAF) and Millie Constable (TASS athlete, Petroc) making her second Senior international appearance after making her debut at the Senior NEVZA beach event held at LeAF in December 2014.
Detailed match reports can be found here as well as results, reports and photos here
Staff and Athletes
Lewie Lett – Men’s Coach
Emma Kavanagh – Psychologist
Jake Sheaf – Csrytal Palace
Chris Gregory – Crystal Palace
Phil Smith – Bournemouth University (TASS) / Wessex
Gregg Weaver
Kirk Pitman – Women’s Coach
Vicky Palmer – Wessex
Jess Grimson – Wessex
Yasmin Kaashoek – LeAF (AASE & SportsAid athlete)
Millie Constable – Academy of Beach Sports (TASS)
This is another fantastic result for English beach volleyball as England remain on the Road to Rio with just a year to go before the Games.
