During the Games, it was revealed that the sand from the courts would be distributed to other venues to ensure a legacy continued well beyond the summer, as well as highlighting how major events can be sustainable.
The Alliance got in touch with some people involved in the project to find out more about what’s happened in the 10 years since and how local communities are benefiting.
It was reported during the Olympics that 36 new courts were due to be created within the M25. This number soon rose to 40 courts, and while most are still in the capital, there are a handful in locations outside the M25 including Loughborough, Kettering and Worthing.
One of the clubs to benefit has been Fireball Beach Volleyball, who are located at the Samuel Montagu Youth Centre in Kidbrooke, South London. We spoke to their Founder, Sam Dunbavin, who talked about the positive impact the Games had on the club, and the sport.
“London has become the hub for beach volleyball in the country, with lots of venues and loads of opportunities to play. This then means that it spills out of the capital and helps the sport grow across the country too.
“In total we have well over 200 players. We have over 50 juniors attend our training sessions over the summer, plus around 30 adults; many more players then come and use our club at our different events too.
“We are also working hard with local indoor clubs to help grow the sport in general, meaning that lots of kids can play volleyball all year round. The best way to get involved is to go to www.fireballbeachvolleyball.com and check out what we’re doing!”
The focus on a higher number of junior players was supported by Volleyball England Chair, Adam Walker, in the organisation’s 2021/22 Annual Report, in which he stated:
“During the 2021/22 season with significantly more players registered to take part in national competitions than in 2019/20 and more registered coaches welcomed to our Volleyball Family we have many reasons to feel optimistic.
“Additionally, our positive image and reputation has enabled us to successfully secure 5 years of Sport England funding and working in partnership with the Foundation an additional £225,000 to encourage participation growth amongst under-represented groups.”
Whilst this encompasses indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball, it is clear that the sport is growing in popularity and reach, especially among a younger generation.
We also spoke to Richard Callicott OBE, President of the British Volleyball Federation. He outlined the positive impact the initiative has had on higher level beach volleyball in the country, as well as at grassroots level.
“Following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the organising committee agreed that since the sand and equipment used during the Games had already been paid for, they would donate both to a Legacy Project.
“The project entailed identifying locations within the M25 where the sand and equipment could be located in new beach volleyball courts. The condition was that the cost of moving the sand would be no greater than if it was returned to where the sand originated.
“Accordingly, a number of sites were negotiated with local authorities and the sites identified as being open to the general public where beach volleyball clubs would be established. Sites were established and clubs have continued to develop activities, with Leyton subsequently creating a site that hosted the Continental Cup and Crystal Palace hosting the qualifier for Birmingham 2022. A new UK Beach Tour has been created and age groups are flourishing.
“There is strong evidence that these courts have attracted many players and events with our players now competing in European and World Tours and achieving top 100 rankings. English players have now achieved a podium position on these Tours and the Bello brothers won a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, narrowly missing out on the final.
“It was the start of a new generation of beach players who are beginning to make their mark on the world stage.”
There has long been evidence to suggest that success at elite level can help inspire grassroots participation, and following his Commonwealth Games bronze medal, Javier Bello – speaking to the Guardian – was hopeful that would be the case:
“I’m hoping that a lot of thousands of people have seen what beach volleyball is, what it’s like,” he said. “I think that was missing in the UK - a lot of people hadn’t seen it. Everybody who has seen it for the first time is now thinking how amazing the sport is, how much of a show, a spectacle it is.
“This is beach volleyball, this is how it always should be and I’m just hoping that we get more opportunities to play in a stadium like this beyond tomorrow. And that more athletes like me can compete at the highest level for England at beach volleyball.”
While London 2012 arguably helped to get more people interested in the sport, and the sand from the courts gave them a greater opportunity to play, recent success could help grow beach volleyball even further, ensuring the Games’ legacy lasts far longer than 10 years.
