VOLLEYFEST SECURED FOR MANLY UNTIL 2018

Australia’s biggest beach volleyball competition since the Sydney Olympics has been secured by Destination NSW for Manly Beach for the next three years. Professional beach volleyball players and Olympic gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook joined NSW Premier Mike Baird at Manly Beach this week to launch the 2016 Volleyfest competition.

“The gold medal performance by Kerri and Natalie at the Sydney Olympics was one of the most memorable sporting achievements of the Games, and this competition will provide a boost for the sport just in time for the Rio Olympics,” Mr Baird said. “Volleyfest will attract some of the world’s best players to Australia’s best beach across nine days of top quality international competition. This competition will provide a boost for the local area and will showcase Australia’s beach culture to the world when it’s held just after the Australian Open of Surfing.”

The competition is expected to attract more than 8,000 domestic and international visitors who are expected to spend an estimated $6.2 million. Now in its second year, Volleyfest will include the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour Finals (March 19-20), the 4 Nations Cup (March 21-22) and the AVC Asian Championships (March 23-28).