PDA

View Full Version : Gold Coast to get elite beach volleyball set-up



Grimmace
24-11-06, 07:30 AM
Coast to get elite beach volleyball set-up
Luke Turgeon

24Nov06

THE Gold Coast is set to get a state-of-the-art beach volleyball facility and elite coaching academy.

Ironically it will be the first of its kind on the Coast, which has long been considered the spiritual home of Queensland beach volleyball.

The new complex at Bond University will feature four full-sized courts and will set about revitalising the sport in the region by running a social competition as well as establishing an academy for elite Australian beach volleyballers.

The brainchild of Bond University director of beach sports and top Australian player Shanon Zunker, the facility should be in full swing by January.

"Probably 50 per cent of the elite beach volleyballers in Queensland are based on the Gold Coast," said Zunker.

"When we look at our grassroots, the top players in Australia were always based on the Gold Coast.

"It wasn't until the sport was included in the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport that top players were dragged away from the Gold Coast.

"Once interstate players know they can base themselves on the Gold Coast, receive top training and coaching and live the Gold Coast lifestyle, I am sure we will start drawing the players in."

Zunker trains under Olympic gold medal-winning coach Steve Anderson -- former coach of Natalie Cook and Kerry Pottharst -- and is fresh from a semi-final finish with playing partner Steve Hannan in last weekend's opening round of the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour in Sydney. As well as Zunker and Hannan, who are the No.1 pair in Queensland and third in the country, the academy so far includes junior Australian champions Dan and James Carey and top females Nicole Solomon and Di Brigham.

"It will be one of the best places to play and train when it is combined with the surrounding sports facilities," said Zunker.

"It is state-of-the-art and just what top athletes are looking for. The Queensland Open is held at Surfers Paradise and so is the Australian Open.

"Most state tour events are also based on Gold Coast beaches."
Source: GC Bulletin