With more than 100 teams descending on the beach volleyball courts in Parksville, the 2014 Western Nationals are taking form with just nine days to go.
Taking place Aug. 15 - 17, the Western Nationals will feature the best beach volleyball players in three different categories, U-14, U-16 and U-18. Additionally, a recent grant of $5,000 from the province of B.C. will provide an extra boost for the tourmanet, which was already in full swing long before hand thanks to the willingness of the local community.
“We had full support from the start from the city council here in Parksville which was great,” co-ordinator and Oceanside Outdoor Sport operator Shane Hyde said. “I worked really close with Chris Dinsmore, the executive director from Volleyball BC. He put the bid together and once that happened, the city was willing to do whatever they could to make it happen.”
Bringing in the extra courts was crucial to the winning bid with the Sandcastle Competition being at the beach at the same time. There’s a total of 32 courts just on the east side of the grounds alone, which boasts well for the beach volleyball courts at Parksville Beach and being able to hold an event like the Western Nationals.
“It’s huge. This is one of the better facilities you’ll find here in Canada, which says a lot,” Hyde said. “Last year we were able to host the Provincials and I think that sort of went well in getting us to this point this year. It made it a lot easier going forward with the extra courts being put in but this is a top notch place to come and play some beach volleyball.”