Chris McHugh serving to Danish duo Hoyer/ Soderberg at the 2012 Australian Beach Volleyball Series in Manly on 1 April, 2012. © AOC

AUSTRALIA HITS TALENT SPIKE IN TIME FOR 2012

Australia’s dual beach volleyball medallist, Natalie Cook, is on track to create history in London by becoming the first female Australian athlete to compete at five summer Olympics. Cook has competed in every Olympic beach volleyball tournament since the introduction of the sport in 1996, and will reunite with her Beijing 2008 partner Tamsin Hinchley (nee Barnett) in 2012. Hinchley and Barnett sparked a potent combination in Beijing, narrowly missing the semi final when they finished fifth. The pair separated after Beijing but have reconnected one year out from the Games to go for gold together again. Cook has reached the medal match on three of four Olympic occasions, collecting bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games and gold at the Sydney 2000 Games (both with Kerri Pottharst).

Soaring up the female world rankings is another Australian pairing, Louise Bawden and Becchara Palmer. Palmer was a junior beach volleyball world champion while Bawden was originally an indoor volleyball player and made her Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games alongside Hinchley playing indoor. The combination of youth and experience is working well for the 2011 National Champions as they continue to deliver the results on the World Tour.

Leading the sand-dives and slams for Australia’s men, triple Olympian Joshua Slack and partner Chris McHugh are eyeing an Olympic berth in 2012. Also in contention are AIS rising stars Sam Boehm and Isaac Kapa.

 

BEACH VOLLEYBALL FORMAT

Olympic beach volleyball is served up with a pool stage to commence competition. The 24 men’s and women’s teams are divided into pools of four. After teams have contested their pools, the top 16 teams enter the quarter finals.

The first team to reach 21 points in each set (15 in the third set) wins the set. The first pair to win two sets win the match.

 

SELECTION AND QUALIFICATION

The gruelling 2012 beach volleyball qualification process will not overawe the Aussie contingent. Athletes can qualify an Australian Olympic combination if they claim a top 16 Olympic Ranking. Pairings accumulate points between 1 January 2011 and 17 June 2012 based on worldwide tournaments including World Championships, World Tour events and recognised Continental Tour Finals. 

Additionally, there are multi-stage CBVC tournaments with five quota places on offer (one per Continental Confederation). The two runners-up from these tournaments win entry to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification where the final two Olympic places are awarded.

The Australian Volleyball Federation (AVF) will nominate the highest ranked Australian team(s) based on Olympic rankings to take up the quota place(s) earned by Australia.

To read all of the selection and qualification documentation click here>>>

 

AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC HISTORY

Since Beach Volleyball was introduced in 1996 Australia has been well represented on the sand and on the podium. Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst combined to win bronze in 1996 and gold in 2000, with Cook also reaching the finals in 2004.

To read more about Australia’s Olympic beach volleyball history click here>>>