This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

IT IS that time of year when the island is invaded by an army of volleyballers. More than 150 visitors are arriving in Guernsey for this weekend’s 23rd Guernsey Open tournament.

Kicking off at midday tomorrow at Beau Sejour, the tournament, which is one of the island’s largest annual sporting events, will see up to 30 men’s, women’s and mixed teams battling it out.

With ex-international and current national league players in the mix, the standard is very high. But it is not all about the sport.

The tournament has a reputation for being serious fun as well.

‘It’s a very friendly competition and that’s what people like,’ said co-organiser Neil Elmy.

‘The standard is very high and it all falls into place nicely and that’s why the tournament is so successful.

‘A lot of people could just get four in car and drive to a tournament in the UK, take sleeping bags and rough it but they are prepared to spend the extra money to come here and that shows how highly they regard this tournament.’

In the men’s competition, the teams to beat will be Liverpool Montana and Anglesey.

They are littered with national division one players and have met each other in the final for the last two years.

Montana took the honours last year after Anglesey had won in 2005.

Guernsey will be represented by local sides Nashcopy and Savills.

Nine men’s teams have entered the tournament that will see a round-robin competition before the top four make up the semi-finals.

The women’s event has a different format.

With nine teams involved, there are two qualifying groups before the semi-finals and final.

Reading Devils won last year after they defeated Nashcopy in straight sets. The Devils are back this year to defend their crown.

The other local women teams involved are Savills and ASL Ladies while Reading Angels, Sussex Dolphins and Anglesey will also be making a bid for the title.

In the mixed event, Anglesey One are back to build on their success of last year when they got the better of Mixed Bits in a final that went right to the wire.

The finals take place on Sunday afternoon.

Other teams that have returned for the weekend include the Royal Navy, Cardiff Ladies and Oxford (Older) Boys.

‘The main rule of the tournament is to play hard and party hard and it’s that combination that seems to attract teams back year after year,’ said co-organiser Andi Pettitt.

Article posted on 25th October, 2007 - 12.00am