Great Keppel Island secures inaugural Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships

Today marks one year until the inaugural Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships take place on Queensland’s Great Keppel Island, from 26th – 30th August, 2023.

The Championships will be played on Fisherman’s Beach, one of the island's 17 white sandy beaches, with Keppel’s famous crystal clear, turquoise water in the background

With the Championships unable to be held this year due to COVID restrictions, 2023 will mark the first time Volleyball Australia (VA) have run a national Masters Beach Volleyball Championships.

When nominations open in May next year, teams will be able to enter across the men’s and women’s pairs, men’s and women’s fours, mixed pairs and mixed fours division, with the following age groups available: 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+ and 60+.

Volleyball Australia Chief Executive Andrew Dee said he is thrilled to see a new event for Volleyball Australia’s highly active and engaged masters division.

Dee advised “The Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships is shaping up to be a fantastic event, and there is no better place to host the first edition than the beautiful Great Keppel Island.

“With so many fantastic opportunities on the 2022/2023 Volleyball Australia event calendar, we’re thrilled to be able to offer an event exclusively for our masters athletes.

“I’d like to thank Livingstone Shire Council, Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Tourism and Events Queensland for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing everyone at the event in August next year.”

Livingstone Shire Mayor, Andy Ireland, said it’s exciting to see Great Keppel Island chosen to host the national championships.

Mayor Ireland added “we love our active and outdoor lifestyle here in Livingstone and so what better place to hold the Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships than on Great Keppel Island with its pristine white sandy beaches.

“This event will help promote Livingstone Shire and Great Keppel Island as a wonderful tourist destination, with competitors and spectators coming from across the country.

“Council is proud to help sponsor this event which will bring benefits to our region in so many ways.”

Great Keppel Island Hideaway General Manager Kelly Harris said he can’t wait to welcome the masters volleyball community to Great Keppel Island.

“Great Keppel Island Hideaway is honoured to host the Australian Masters Beach Volleyball Championships in 2023 and is excited to show off Great Keppel Island’s natural beauty,” Harris said.

“Planning is well underway to assure the entertainment following each breathtaking sunset is as memorable as the scenery itself. We can’t wait.”

Entries for the inaugural event will open on Monday 1st May, 2023, but participants can secure their accommodation packages from today, Friday 26th August.

For more information, head to masters.volleyball.org.au/

Image: Credit Rogue Gun.