Great Keppel Island hosts inaugural Volleyball Australia Masters Beach Volleyball Championships this week
Over 60 beach volleyball teams are making their way to Great Keppel Island for the first ever Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships.
Taking place on the iconic Queensland island from 26 – 30 August, beach volleyballers aged 30 and over will compete across the men’s and women’s pairs, men’s and women’s fours, mixed pairs and mixed fours divisions.
While the competition on the sand will be fierce, teams will come together in the evenings for themed social nights, to foster new relationships amongst the masters beach volleyball community.
Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee said the Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships have been an event the national federation has been looking to deliver for some time.
“The Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships is shaping up to be a fantastic event, and there is no better place to host the first edition than the beautiful Great Keppel Island,” Dee said.
“With so many opportunities on the 2023/2024 Volleyball Australia event calendar, we’re thrilled to be able to offer an event exclusively for our highly-engaged masters athletes.
“I’d like to thank Livingstone Shire Council, Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Tourism and Events Queensland for their support in helping us establish this new event.
“I wish all our teams the very best of luck in the tournament getting away this weekend, and know they will all enjoy their time on beautiful Great Keppel Island” he said.
Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, said Great Keppel Island would deliver the perfect backdrop for the inaugural Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships.
“The Masters Beach Volleyball Championships are a wonderful opportunity to share more of the Capricorn region’s great island lifestyle and world-class visitor experiences,” Ms Lauga said.
“Hosting the Masters on Great Keppel Island is part of Queensland’s green and gold runway of national and international events to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Events of this calibre are great news for growing the visitor economy and supporting good Queensland jobs, that’s why we’re backing the Masters with our It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.”
Livingstone Shire Mayor, Andy Ireland, welcomed the athletes and their families to Great Keppel Island.
“On behalf of Council and the Livingstone community, I extend a warm welcome to all participants and their families,” Mayor Ireland said.
“As a sponsor, we are proud to contribute to the success of this exciting event that unites athletes from across the country in the spirit of sportsmanship against the backdrop of our beautiful region.”
Manager of Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Kelly Harris said they’re thrilled to partner with Volleyball Australia for the inaugural event.
“Great Keppel Island Hideaway can’t wait to welcome athletes from all over the country to our barefoot paradise,” Mr Harris said.
“The weather is shaping to be perfect for all to enjoy. We look forward to partnering with Volleyball Australia in making this a must-attend event on the calendar.”
The Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships run 26 – 30 August. See all nominated teams HERE. The schedule and results will be available online HERE.
The 2023 Australian Beach Volleyball Masters Championships is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
