2020 Beach Volleyball Classic cancelled

The below news release has been provided to us from Weymouth Beach Volleyball Club.

It is with great regret that Weymouth Beach Volleyball Club have made the decision to cancel this year’s Beach Volleyball Classic which was due to be held from 24-26th July on Weymouth Beach. The Classic which has been running for 36 years attracts the best Beach volleyball players in GB and from across Europe and this will only be the second time that it has not been held in that time. The only other occasion being in 2012 because of the clash with the Olympics.

Event Directors Graeme Sawyer and Pete Bennett said:

“It is very disappointing to have to cancel the event but considering the current COVID-19 crisis we feel we had little choice even though the event is still two months away. It seems very likely that by then we will still be social distancing and this would make the event impossible to run safely.  We are already at the point where teams would be expecting to put entries in for the event and we would have to be booking seating/marquees/ security etc and we cannot afford to take such a risk. We are discussing with the Council whether it would be possible to put on a lower level event in September but even that appears unlikely. We are however determined to return even stronger in 2021!”

Mayor of Weymouth Town Council Cllr Graham Winter said:

“It is with great regret that we have agreed with the local volleyball club directors that the annual Volleyball Classic will not be taking place this summer on Weymouth Beach due to coronavirus restrictions. The Classic is one of Weymouth’s highest profile and most successful annual sports events and is testament to the dedication and professionalism of the local club members and the support of the town council’s events team.”

The Club also organise the permanent courts on the beach which have not been put in place this summer. Graeme Sawyer said:

“At the moment even with the recent changes to the restrictions for sport it would not be appropriate to put up the courts and this will continue to be the situation until the advice from the Government is altered. I  know many people will be disappointed about this but at the same time I am sure they will understand that at the current time it is the only option.”