The Whistler Resort Volleyball Challenge is turning 11 this year, and will host up to 30 co-ed teams for a tournament on the lower fields at Myrtle Philip Community Centre.
There are two categories available, co-ed competitive fours on Tuesday, August 29 and and co-ed recreational sixes on Wednesday.
The event was originally targeted to the local food and beverage industry but this year’s event will be aligned with the Whistler Outdoor Volleyball Association, which hosts a popular weekly league at Rainbow Park.
"It’s still going to very much be a local’s tournament," said organizer Nadio Hachey. "My partner organizing this event had a family illness, so we kind of dropped the ball. We’ve managed to pick it up again with the WOVA, which will really give us a boost."
The competitive category will have $500 in prize money available this year, which is also new to the tournament.
"It will still appeal to the population that doesn’t play much volleyball but still enjoys the social aspect, and for the players who want something more competitive we have prize money on the line," said Hachey.
Scott Rogers, the organizer of WOVA, was happy to bring his league to this year’s tournament. At the start of the season he had 30 teams and almost 150 players, and despite the usual rate of summer attrition he says the league still has over 100 players divided into competitive twos and recreational fours.
"The qualify of volleyball has really gone up, for both competitive and recreational, since the beginning of the year, and we’re really looking forward to having an even stronger turnout next year now the word’s out and we have our core players," said Rogers.
Summer volleyball was in decline before WOVA, but the sport is making a huge comeback. Rogers is hoping to develop more capacity for the league by putting top competitive players through coaching. Following that, the league hopes to offer camps for adults and kids.
There will be a beer tent and concession area at the Whistler Resort Volleyball Challenge, followed by the after party and buffet with DJ’s and dancing at Joey Chan’s Chinese Eatery in Creekside. The cost is $25 per day to enter, which includes the buffet and refreshments.
If you would like to register a team, or become an official sponsor for the event, contact organizer Nadio Hachey at 604-966-0966 or e-mail joeychans@telus.net
