UWC will be well-represented when the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 tournament takes place from 2-6 November in Cape Town.
Alumni Grant Goldschmidt (39) and Leo Williams (36) will once again pair up, as they did at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham from 31 July - 7 August - where they narrowly missed the quarterfinals. Also in action will be current students Lukholo Jooste and Tamlyn Thomas, who recently competed at the FISU World University Beach Volleyball Championship in Maceio, Brazil. The quartet make up half of the South African contingent.
For Goldschmidt and Williams, this Elite16 tournament provides a rare opportunity to play in front of their fans, at the unique court that has been created at the iconic Grand Parade. In fact, the last international beach volleyball tournament in Cape Town was a FIVB World Tour stop back in 2005 - which Goldschmidt played in, such has been his longevity.
"It’s really good for us and our country that the event is here," Goldschmidt told Volleyball World in an interview.
"We always have to travel so far to experience these top events and we, athletes, are normally the only ones to do it. This time everyone is so excited about it."
Of his memories from 17 years ago (when he ranked 25th, pairing up with Jerome Fredericks), Goldschmidt recalled: “I was very young at the time.”
“I have been able to play in other events in South Africa (Durban in 2013, and Mangaung in 2014) after that, but it’s really special to have the tournament back here in Cape Town.”
For his part, Williams said: “It’s such an honour to play in front of our home fans and friends.”
“It’s amazing to have an event in South Africa after such a long time and we hope that it keeps coming back and that we can grow from here. I’m sure our national team players will end the week with a lot of important lessons after playing the best in the world. The more we play at this level, the sooner Africa will be able to improve.”
The tournament will see 56 teams from 24 countries on five continents battle it out.
Alumni Grant Goldschmidt (39) and Leo Williams (36) will once again pair up, as they did at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham from 31 July - 7 August - where they narrowly missed the quarterfinals. Also in action will be current students Lukholo Jooste and Tamlyn Thomas, who recently competed at the FISU World University Beach Volleyball Championship in Maceio, Brazil. The quartet make up half of the South African contingent.
For Goldschmidt and Williams, this Elite16 tournament provides a rare opportunity to play in front of their fans, at the unique court that has been created at the iconic Grand Parade. In fact, the last international beach volleyball tournament in Cape Town was a FIVB World Tour stop back in 2005 - which Goldschmidt played in, such has been his longevity.
"It’s really good for us and our country that the event is here," Goldschmidt told Volleyball World in an interview.
"We always have to travel so far to experience these top events and we, athletes, are normally the only ones to do it. This time everyone is so excited about it."
Of his memories from 17 years ago (when he ranked 25th, pairing up with Jerome Fredericks), Goldschmidt recalled: “I was very young at the time.”
“I have been able to play in other events in South Africa (Durban in 2013, and Mangaung in 2014) after that, but it’s really special to have the tournament back here in Cape Town.”
For his part, Williams said: “It’s such an honour to play in front of our home fans and friends.”
“It’s amazing to have an event in South Africa after such a long time and we hope that it keeps coming back and that we can grow from here. I’m sure our national team players will end the week with a lot of important lessons after playing the best in the world. The more we play at this level, the sooner Africa will be able to improve.”
The tournament will see 56 teams from 24 countries on five continents battle it out.
