Bath (Whitefield) Volleyball Tournament
Review (By Frances White)
This is the first big tournament of the season apart from Weston super Mare
which I've always missed.
The tournament is held in the rugby grounds more or less in the centre of
Bath city, which is nice for shopping and nights out
It does mean that space is restricted though so entry is strictly
controlled and the tents are pitched right on top of each other, which is fun
at night when you're a bit pissed trying to find your way back to your own
tent !
This tournament is very well organised and very polular, so entry forms have
to be sent back on the very same day they are received - last year we didn't
manage to get any teams entered. The standard is good and next to the rugby
ground is a big sports centre where they hold a National League tournament,
which is great to watch if you want to see some really good volleyball !
Facilities are OK - decent food available at reasonable prices, showers are
OK and there are better facilities next door at the big sports centre, the
bar/pavilion has entertainment each evening although we usually go to the pub
round the corner and finish up at the nightclub 5 minutes away. There is
always an ice cream van, which is essential, and last year we took paddling
pools and filled them up for cooling off after games !
Take space hoppers, water pistols, garden games of all kinds, hats, loads of
sun cream, folding chairs, lilos etc for comfort during the periods when you
are not playing. It's great fun playing mixed at the tournaments - but
outdoor volleyball is quite a bit different from the indoor kind you're used
to, as there is WIND and sun in your eyes and lots of distractions, like
balls coming onto your court from neighbouring courts ! So you can win with
less skills, if you have the courage to throw yourselves around the courts a
bit !
Bath is great for the socialising, good for seeing some good volleyball, good
for shopping and sightseeing which makes it good for bringing a non-playing
partner and good if you have 8 or 9 in your team so you are sitting off a
good deal, good for food (breakfasts are especially good I think, although I
still think Gloucester is the very best for food) and facilities are quite
good too. The only drawback is that tents are so close, so it is really
worthwhile getting at least 3 tents up there really early to stake some
ground on the outer edges.
Last year we couldn't enter, the year before we won the Mixed Division 2, not
sure that the guys have won at Bath but who cares right ? .....
Rating? 9/10. Don't miss it!
Other tournament Dates ....
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