From the Pacific to Crewe

 

Two female international beach volleyball players are hoping Cheshire East serves up a smash hit.

On August 1 the players from the Vanuatu Islands in the South Pacific are to be welcomed to their new training camp in Crewe in preparation to fulfil their Olympic dream and qualify for London 2012.

Henriette Iatika and Miller Elwin will be hosted through a partnership between Cheshire East Council and Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire (MMUC). The girls will be based at Booth Hall, part of the MMUC campus.

They will have the opportunity to train at various state-of-the-art sports facilities including a new beach volleyball facility that will be open for future use by a new Cheshire East beach volleyball club.

MMUC was named last year as an official 2012 pre-Games training camp. It was agreed that a beach volleyball court would be built at the Crewe sports campus as part of the legacy for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralymic games. The aim is to bring people together through sport and create a lasting legacy for Cheshire East.

The volleyball team and their Australian coach will be able to enjoy all that Cheshire East has to offer in between playing at three qualifying tournaments in Finland, Norway and the Netherlands.

Coucillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing said: “We’re very excited to be working with MMUC and can’t wait to host the volleyball team and show them all the things we have available here in Cheshire East.

“They will have the opportunity to bring some sporting inspiration to other young people through their competitive energy and share their culture and customs with us.”

Dennis Dunn, Dean of MMUC and Pro Vice Chancellor of MMU added: ”We feel extremely proud to welcome this international team to Cheshire East.

“We look forward to hosting the athletes throughout their trip and providing them with an educating and fulfilling experience of the North West. We hope they will take away some happy memories and lasting new friendships when they return home.”

There is an opportunity to meet the beach volleyball team at the Playday event at Shavington Leisure Centre in Crewe on August 4 from midday. Miller and Henriette will be received by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Roger West and meet local children.