Invented in Hawaii, perfected in Santa Monica and pure Copacabana, Beach Volley has come to Ireland!

Sport Ireland Campus has opened the country’s first Beach Sport Centre, which includes three beach volleyball courts. The sand-based facility will offer year-round access to courts that can also be used for Olympic handball, beach soccer, tag rugby and racquet sports.

Ireland’s Dublin-based Copacabana will stage international and national competitions and will be available for amateurs to use too. Beach Volleyball is similar to indoor volleyball and played by teams of two and four players and a court divided by a high net.

It has been an Olympic sport since 1996, France are men’s and Italy are women’s reigning champions having beaten Poland and USA in their respective finals.

Sport Ireland chief executive Dr Una May said: “This is an exciting milestone for Irish sport. The campus already offers a host of sports facilities and with the launch of the Beach Sport Centre we’re offering something unique. In Ireland we can’t guarantee sun, but now at least we can offer sand and sports all year.

“This really reflects our vision for inclusive and innovative spaces that support both high-performance athletes and the local communities.

“We’re very happy to be able to open the door for people to experience the thrill of beach sports.”

The facility, in the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, is part of Volleyball Ireland’s development plans.

It aims to support long-term goals for athlete development, event hosting and increase participation across all levels. The centre will allow Ireland’s top beach sport athletes to stay on top of their training, perfect their serves, spikes, and sprints while gearing up for big competitions and international showdowns, no matter the weather.

Gary Stewart, CEO of Volleyball Ireland said: “We are delighted to work with Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Campus to launch such a brilliant facility.

“Beach Volleyball has huge potential to grow in Ireland, and our first inland permanent venue will be a game changer.

“We’d like to thank Sport Ireland and the Campus team for their energy and enthusiasm in developing this historic project.”

Volleyball Ireland will host a range of international and national competitions at the

facility, including the Beach Volleyball Intervarsity and International Small Countries events.

Joao Ferreira, operations director of Olympic Handball Ireland, said: “This new centre provides the infrastructure we need to grow the sport, engage new audiences, and host top-tier competitions right here at home.” The Beach Sport Centre is a key component of Sport Ireland’s investment in the future of Irish sport.

Supporting amenities – such as changing rooms, player facilities, offices, and meeting rooms – are housed

within the nearby Multisport Pitch Pavilion, which features

all-weather public access pitches catering for soccer, Gaelic games, rugby and hockey.

Additional projects in the pipeline for the 500-acre Campus include the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre and the National Cricket Centre, both are key to the long-term plan.

The new facility was officially opened by Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland; Michael Murray, of Sport Ireland Campus, Gary Stewart, General Manager of Volleyball Ireland and Joao Ferreira, Operations Director of Olympic Handball Ireland.

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