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After over four decades of dedication and passion, the founders of the Weymouth Grand Slam Beach Volleyball Tournament are stepping down. Talking to Graeme, one of the original founders, we learned about the journey that has made this tournament a staple in the British beach volleyball scene.
The inception of the Weymouth Grand Slam Beach Volleyball Tournament traces back to an inspired moment. "We started after seeing photos of beach volleyball in California," Graeme recalls. Although he and his fellow player Steve Allgood were seasoned National League indoor players, beach volleyball was a novel concept for them. "Considering where we lived, we thought we should give it a go," he adds, highlighting the local potential they saw in Weymouth.
In the tournament's first year, Graeme and Steve invited players from other national league teams. The turnout exceeded their expectations, with 20 entries including notable England internationals such as Steve Pincott, Ucal Ashman, and Brien Donnellon. Despite the primitive setup with scaffolding poles for posts and indoor nets, the event was a resounding success.
The tournament had a steady growth, "Over the following few years, we added a women’s tournament, got a few beach volleyballs from the States, and the entries flooded in". As the sport gained popularity, other locations like Bournemouth and Bridlington started hosting their own events, creating a growing tour by the early 1990s.
A significant milestone was reached in 1996 when beach volleyball became an Olympic sport. "We were immensely proud to see Audrey Cooper and Mo Glover represent GB as they had learnt the sport on our beach!". This international recognition was a testament to the quality and impact of the Weymouth tournament.
The event was absent for only two years since its invention, one being due to COVID-19, and a notable hiatus in 2012 due to the team being involved in running the London Olympics beach volleyball event. "A massive learning curve but a brilliant experience!" he notes, emphasising how they brought back invaluable skills to enhance their own tournament.
The tournament's continuous evolution is marked by advancements such as seating, commentary, and sponsorship. "We continued to build our event over the years, and the tour had good years and not so good," Graeme reflects, highlighting the inetivably fluctuating nature of organizing such events.
The tournament's impact on both the local community and the sport within the UK has been profound. "There are a number of aspects myself and Pete are proud of," Graeme says. This includes being the first British beach volleyball event, receiving positive feedback from top players, and witnessing the growing number of local participants. "Over 120 players from ages 12-70 have played in local events this year," he proudly states.
The personal involvement of Graeme's family adds a unique dimension to the tournament. His son Elliott now oversees the events, and his other son Chris contributes as the DJ at the Classic, bringing his expertise from Radio 1. "They both have been involved with beach volleyball since they were born," Graeme mentions, underscoring the family legacy intertwined with the tournament.
Reflecting on the challenges, Graeme acknowledges the ongoing struggle of securing sufficient funding each year. "The hardest part is trying to put together enough funding every year to ensure we can put on a quality event. It starts in September and goes on all year!" Despite these challenges, the reward is immense. "The best moment every year is watching the finals in front of a packed crowd and thinking, we did that!"
As Graeme and his co-founder Pete Bennett step down, their legacy continues through the efforts of their families and the vibrant community they helped build. The Weymouth Grand Slam Beach Volleyball Tournament stands as a testament to their vision, hard work, and the enduring spirit of beach volleyball in the UK.
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