Windfest 12th & 13th September 2009

Report

The 2009 Animal Windfest South West Junior Beach Tour Finals got off to a sizzling start on the Saturday morning as sunshine basked the glorious Sandbanks beaches in Poole. There was also a strong breeze which kept the windsurfers happy but meant that our volleyball players had to maintain their concentration throughout the day. With registration and briefing over it was on with the action and some competitive matches from both the girls and boys in the U16's and U18's age groups.

The final ultimately went to form with the two top seeds of the day meeting following the double elimination rounds. Both teams had already won all of their pool matches in the morning, so the final was eagerly anticipated and the boys did not disappoint the loyal volleyball fans or the hundreds of locals and tourists who had turned out to enjoy the sunshine. Both teams challenged hard for every point producing some wonderful rallies and a great advertisement for the sport. Ashley Yeo and Jack Walker eventually managed to pip Ryan Stout and Aiden Lewis by 2 sets to 1. A strong showing from Wessex partners Aaron Walrond and Tom McArther saw them take runners up position in the U16's boy's competition.

The girls were not to be outdone and left many of the boys teams wondering why they had lost out. The answer was simple. Paige Nelmes and Annie Tinker have developed a great team awareness and a competitive streak that explains why the have been selected to represent GB in the womens U21's in Blackpool, later this month. Sarah Keen and Emma Freeman also provided stiff opposition and are proving that they can compete with the best. However, they had to accept the runners up position whilst Paige and Annie were convincing winners in the U18's girl's competition.

The structure of the event enabled players from all abilities to compete whilst retaining a position within their own age groups. In the U16's girls event, Alex Stallworthy and Abbie Davies were competing together for the first time but were still able to come away the winners.

With the pool matches and double elimination completed, some tired bodies left the beach in the early evening sun having enjoyed over seven hours of volleyball action.

However, for the organisers and officials there was little rest and an early morning return to the beach on Sunday. The sun was out again but the wind was definitely stronger early on which was to prove a tough test for the younger competitors, U14's and U12's.

The pool matches saw a maximum return for Wessex A (U14's), playing on home sand, and Melksham GWM (U12's) doing likewise in their pool.

Once again, the afternoon's double elimination event saw the two strongest teams make it through to the U14's final, a replay of the pool match between Wessex A and Academy Hammers. The final on court one in front of another huge afternoon crowd saw both teams put their all into every point and it was the Academy Hammers who eventually got their revenge for the pool defeat to claim the honours, 2 sets to 1, leaving the Wessex A boys to take the runners up position.

The U12's competition gave us another exciting final with a fantastic display of volleyball from our youngest players of the tournament but it was to be the Melksham GWM's who proved the stronger team on the day who took the winners positition with the Academy Rebels having to settle for the runners up, 2 sets to 0.

Throughout the weekend the volleyball was competitive but friendly, the weather fantastic and the players happy that they had had a full day of competition. It seems like the sun certainly liked the Animal Windfest weekend so be sure to put it in your diaries for 2010.