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As the summer draws to a close, the UK Beach Volleyball Tour gears up for its grand finale—the Bournemouth Grand Slam. This iconic event, held from September 6th to 8th, promises a weekend of high level beach volleyball action on the stunning sands near Bournemouth Pier. The Bournemouth Grand Slam marks the ending of the 2024 beach season, drawing top talent from across the UK and beyond.
The Bournemouth Grand Slam is the UKBT season's pinnacle, with the qualifiers kicking off on Friday, September 6th, teams will battle fiercely for the two remaining spots in the main draw. By Saturday morning, the stage will be set for 16 of the finest men's and women's teams to showcase their skills in what promises to be an intense and thrilling competition. Matches will run throughout the weekend, culminating in the finals on Sunday.
Adding to the excitement is the highly anticipated Sixes Finals, hosted by Deep Dish. The finals of this iconic event will be held on Sunday morning, with the top two teams clashing on centre court, which will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement to the weekend.
The men’s competition boasts a lineup of standout teams and players, each bringing their unique strengths to the sand, some of the players to watch include, the Northern Ireland international team Workman/McCaughern, the top-seeded Scottish duo of James McHardy/Ross McKelvie who made it to the semi-finals of the Weymouth Grand Slam. Also competing is former Australian international, Cole Durant, and The team of Bunton/Harsum, a young and upcoming English team. Off each of their success at the Weymouth Grand Slam, Hunter/Jones are a team to look out for, with Harry Jones fresh off a victory at the Weymouth Grand Slam and Matt Hunter having secured a bronze, alongside both being players originating from the Bournemouth sand.
The women’s side of the competition is equally stacked with talent, featuring both seasoned players and rising stars. Tokarenko/Sviridova have a track record which includes multiple Grand Slam victories, alongside their second-place performance at the latest Weymouth Grand Slam, making them one of the top teams to beat. Another team with consistent performances in previous Grand Slams is Tussis/Berstautaite, a team expected to be a strong contender in the tournament. Additionally, after a strong showing in Weymouth, Macdonald/Grimson team once more, Olivia Macdonald being a New Zealand international, and Jess Grimson former England international, they are expected to go far. A local Bournemouth pair, Natalia Gruszczynska/Kamila Maciejewska brings both experience and local support. There are additionally some top England juniors competing in the tournament, including Alice Jagielska, Molly Quinn and Maia Darling.
With free entry for all spectators, the Bournemouth Grand Slam offers a fantastic opportunity to witness some of the best beach volleyball the UK has to offer. The atmosphere will be electric, with an onsite bar and DJ keeping the energy high throughout the tournament. Matches begin at 12 PM on Friday and at 9 AM on the Saturday and Sunday.
This event is proudly sponsored by Wilson, Dryrobe, and MSP Capital, and run by Deep Dish Beach alongside the UK Beach Tour. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or an interested spectator, the Bournemouth Grand Slam is the place to be this weekend. Don’t miss out on the chance to see top-tier beach volleyball in one of the UK’s most iconic coastal settings.
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