Volleyball Australia has confirmed the Federation Internationale De Volleyball (FIVB) World Tour will come to Shepparton on the weekend of February 1-4 next year, in the lead-up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. It is the second time an event of this standing has come to Australia.
“This is going to be a big event for beach volleyball in Australia, and we are incredibly excited to be bringing it to the vibrant sporting community of Shepparton,” Volleyball Australia CEO, Mathieu Meriaux, said.
“We would like to thank the Greater Shepparton City Council and the Victorian Government for their vision and enthusiasm.
“We are certain this is going to be the start of a long partnership between Volleyball Australia and the City of Shepparton.”
The event is certain to attract many of the best male and female players in the world, including the best helloworld Volleyroos.
Two temporary purpose-built courts and a warm-up court will be constructed, and a 500-seat grandstand will be erected at the Victoria Park Lake precinct.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said she is excited for Greater Shepparton to host this worldwide event next year.
“On behalf of Council I thank Volleyball Australia, the Victorian Government and Council’s major events team for bringing this event back to Shepparton. This is a great opportunity for our region to showcase Greater Shepparton on a world scale, further enhancing our profile as a leading major event destination in regional Australia.
“The event will see around 3,000 spectators per day spending time and money in Greater Shepparton, a great boost to our business and visitor economy sectors,” said Cr O’Keeffe.
Shepparton Show Me Chairman Simon Quattrocchi was looking forward to the event. “We are proud to able to support this iconic opportunity which will bring a much needed stimulus to the local business community, helping create more jobs for locals and keeping the economy strong.”
Volleyball Australia’s Event Manager – Head of Beach Volleyball Events Baz Wedmaier said having the chance to play in a world-class tournament in its own backyard was an incredible opportunity.
“Because of Australia’s isolation normally our beach helloworld Volleyroos have to spend much of the year travelling around the globe if they want to compete with the best,” Court said.
“To have the best actually coming to us, and to have the opportunity to take our sport to a new part of Australia, is great for our sport.
“I personally can’t wait to get to Shepparton next year. We all know how passionate the City is about sport, and we know they will host a first-class event.”
Minister for Sport John Eren said the Andrews Labour Government was proud to support the return of this exciting tournament to Victoria through the Significant Sporting Events Program.
"We're proud to back this event and bring some of the biggest guns in the game to Shepparton.”
“Sporting events like these aren’t just great spectacles, they’re a big driver of our visitor economy – and they offer up great opportunities for local businesses and local families.”
