Northern Beaches Council and MP James Griffin launch fight to save VolleyFest for Manly
A fight has been launched to save Australia’s top beach volleyball event, without which athletes fear their Olympic dreams could be in jeopardy.
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Northern Beaches Council’s Mayor Michael Regan says he is fighting to keep an international beach volleyball competition in Manly, which last year attracted 10 Olympians and contributed $1.65 million to the peninsula’s economy.
It follows a shock last minute decision by Destination NSW to cut all of its $400,000 funding for VolleyFest, meaning it can’t go ahead.
The decision also left athletes fearing that without VolleyFest they may not get enough qualifying points for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
But Mr Regan said this was “too big to ignore” and he would be proposing the council waive the fees associated with the access to Manly Beach, to the tune of some $204,420 and provide a cash grant of $50,000 per year for the next three years.
However, that’s only $25,000 more than what the council had already committed to the event next March, leaving organisers still $375,000 short.
Mr Regan said the extra commitment was dependent on the state government also securing funding.
He said he was also working with MP James Griffin to see if additional funding can be secured through the state government.
Mr Griffin confirmed he was trying to secure funding by other means.
“We are working to explore other funding opportunities that are available and discussing options with the council,” he said.
“I will fight to ensure – whether it is volleyball or other events – to keep them in Manly.
“The volleyball has proved itself to be a successful event.”
Meanwhile, Cr Rory Amon has proposed a motion to Northern Beaches Council calling for federal and state governments to help plug the $400,000 funding gap to save VolleyFest.
He said the state and local council had been supporting the event for four years and he thought federal government should step in and help, as it involved national and international athletes.
Warringah’s independent federal MP Zali Steggall, an Olympian herself, said she sympathised with the athletes.
“Like many local residents I am keen to see the VolleyFest event stay in Manly,” she said.
“Not only does this particular event provide a great boost to the local economy, the sport of beach volleyball has a special place in our local culture – it’s part of our active outdoor lifestyle and we’ve had some great success stories, particularly with our very own Olympic Gold Medallist Kerri Pottharst.
“I know first hand the importance of these events and I sympathise with the competitors that any uncertainty about the event can be a major disruption to their preparation.”
Ms Steggall said she had written to Minister Stuart Ayres and discussed the event with Volleyball Australia.
Cr Amon also said it was a vital money earner for Manly.
“It’s vital for Manly, every dollar the council puts in we get $13.10 back,” Cr Amon said.
“That’s great bang for our buck.
“It’s also incredibly valuable for athletes.
“It’s an event they rely upon to take that next step, or to qualify for competitions.”
Last week Volleyball Australia president Craig Carracher told the Manly Daily the decision to cut funding was “extraordinary and will directly impact on the qualification ambitions of our Olympic teams”.
He also said it was a tragedy for Manly which would lose its world standing as the “home of volleyball in Australia”.
The motion said this year VolleyFest attracted 60,000 spectators, 1,200 event participants, $1.66 million in gross value added, arising from the creation of 23 full time jobs, overnight stayers, and a $29 average spend locally per day.