This weekend, Volleyball Canada’s Beach Volleyball National Championships return to Ashbridge’s Bay in Toronto, where some of the best teams in the country will compete for prizes, bragging rights and the ultimate title of “National Champion.”
The beach will be packed with a total of 343 youth and senior teams, an increase from 2022. For the first time ever, the tournament includes a club championship.
Here are a few of the squads to watch. In the senior men’s bracket, reigning national champions Sam Schachter/Dan Dearing (ranked 36th in the world) will be the team to beat. Another notable duo: two-time Olympian Josh Binstock and his partner, long-time pro Mike Plantinga, both of whom bring a wealth of experience to the sand. On the senior women’s side, keep an eye out for Heather Bansley/Sophie Bukovec, who are partners on the Canadian national team.
The youth players, who range in age from 14U to 20U, will battle it out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. Meanwhile, the senior men’s and women’s teams will compete for their share of a $20,000 purse. Senior men’s and women’s matches begin at 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday. On Saturday, the playoffs kick off at 10:10 a.m. ET.
And there’s more action next week. From August 25th to 27th, a separate 14U – 16U national championships will take place at Spanish Banks East in Vancouver, featuring a total of 94 youth teams.
– Sunday, Aug. 20 – Live on YouTube
Volleyball Canada thanks its sponsors Left on Friday, Mikasa, Jumplete and Nothers – the award store, among other valued partners and vendors.
This article is shared as part of our Fair Dealing Policy. For the original article, please visit: https://volleyball.ca/en/news/beach-nationals-kick-off-in-toronto
