GC2018 Beach Volleyball competition pools announced

23 Jan 2018 1:06 PM AEST - GC2018 Beach Volleyball competition pools announced

The official pools for the first ever Beach Volleyball competition to be held at a Commonwealth Games have been confirmed, following a draw ceremony held at the Coolangatta Beachfront today.

Overseen and sanctioned by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), today’s draw ceremony for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Beach Volleyball competition saw the 12 competing nations for both the men’s and women’s competitions drawn into three pools.

The bottom eight ranked teams were randomly drawn into three pools, joining the top four ranked teams who were placed into the three pools in a snaking pattern according to their current FIVB Word Rankings.

The allocated pools will determine the match schedule for the preliminary round-robin stage of the competition, with each team to play every other team within their pool once.

The preliminaries run from 6-9 April before culminating with the Quarter finals, Semifinals and Gold and Bronze Medal Matches from 10-12 April, with all matches to be held at the 4000-seat capacity Coolangatta Beachfront venue.

The three pools determined today for the women’s and men’s competitions are listed below:

GC2018 WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION POOLS

POOL A

POOL B

POOL C

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

Scotland

England

Vanuatu

Grenada

Trinidad and Tobago

Singapore

Cyprus

Fiji

Rwanda

GC2018 MEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION POOLS

POOL A

POOL B

POOL C

Australia

Canada

England

Trinidad and Tobago

Scotland

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

Sri Lanka

Cyprus

Fiji

Sierra Leone

Mozambique

Today’s unveiling of the pools will enable the full match schedule to be completed in mid-February.

The men’s and women’s medal events will feature 12 teams of two players.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin CBE:

"We are proud to see Beach Volleyball being contested at the Commonwealth Games for the first time in history at GC2018.

"We know the iconic beaches of the Gold Coast will provide the perfect backdrop to showcase both the sport and the destination to a global audience.

"It’s also extremely pleasing to see such diversity of representation from all regions of the Commonwealth, with teams from Oceania, Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean taking part in Beach Volleyball."

GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters:

"We have seen a great deal of enthusiasm about the GC2018 Beach Volleyball competition since we first announced it would be part of the program at GC2018 in 2016.

"Today’s unveiling of the pools brings us one step closer to being able to deliver the first ever Beach Volleyball competition at a Commonwealth Games which is really exciting.

"We know the intensity of the competition and the wonderful location of the venue at the Coolangatta Beachfront will ensure Beach Volleyball is one of the real highlights of GC2018."

Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee:

"It’s a very special day for Beach Volleyball, not only here in Australia but on the international stage as well, with today’s pool draw bringing the reality closer that our wonderful sport will make its Commonwealth Games debut right here on the Gold Coast"

"The imagery beamed right around the world will be a highlight of the Games, with the pictures brilliantly showing off our Australian lifestyle. The combination of incredible beaches and coastline, elite athletes playing the high energy exciting sport of Beach Volleyball, it is going to be something very special."

"For years to come I’m sure this Commonwealth Games will be remembered and talked about for the outstanding contribution that Beach Volleyball brought to the event.

"Sold out stadiums, pumping music, high level action and all against the world’s best backdrop of Coolangatta Beach, what could be better?"

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones:

"Today’s unveiling is another exciting milestone for the Games with just 71 days to go before we stage the best Commonwealth Games ever.

"The level of exposure generated from images of the beaches of Coolangatta will be priceless.

"The Gold Coast is entering an exciting new era and I’m proud to be playing an active role in ensuring the Commonwealth Games continues to benefit Queenslanders for generations to come."

For more information, please email media@goldoc.com or contact:

Tamara Morris: +61 400 658 429

Manager Communication and Media

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Chris Kenner: +61 422 234 565

Media Specialist

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

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