Beach volleyball hits Roodepoort

If you are looking for a new sport or hobby to try this year, beach volleyball at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre might be something that can excite you.

Facilitated by beach volleyball league Sandz in collaboration with the Transvaal Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA), this exciting new initiative aims to equip individuals of all ages with the grassroots skills necessary to become well-rounded athletes and professionals in the sport.

The first launch of the beach volleyball social event took place on December 7, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for volleyball enthusiasts in the area.

Dr Rashid Isaacs, a committee member at Sandz, says the goal is to introduce and grow the sport within the local community and across the country.

“From a development perspective, there’s nothing much happening within the existing structures. If there is, it is very limited and not well advertised. This means that those of us who want to see the game grow have to be self-funded and rely heavily on the kindness of the networks one has built over time.

“We’re trying to grow the sport, have more facilities and equipment, coaches, and players. We aim to try and get into the schools as well, where we can assist with coaching and awareness of volleyball. We are keen to see our young people and the more mature come together and find a space where they feel safe, active, and healthy and become part of our life skills programmes,” he says.

Interested community members will not only be limited to one style of play because TAVA is also facilitating indoor volleyball, providing a diverse range of experiences to suit every interest.

“The indoor volleyball was launched in November 2023 and has grown steadily. We have six male teams and three mixed teams. The mixed teams consist of juniors, boys, and girls [any age]. We also have a development programme in place where we coach any person who is interested in learning the basics of the sport.

“We aim to create a space for people to come and meet new friends and be part of an active, healthy, and fun environment. We are looking forward to sustaining the sport and keeping the enthusiasm while also producing professional players that can represent in the Olympics and other world championship games,” says Ursula Sombuur, coach and volleyball facilitator at TAVA.

Training days for beach volleyball are every Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to noon, and indoor is hosted every Monday and Wednesday from 18:00 to 20:00 at the recreation centre. For more information, contact Ursula on 082 501 6110 or Dr Rashid on 082 452 0296.