THE Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic returns this week in its full form for the first time since 2019 from Thursday to Sunday.

Internationally renowned, the Classic is one of just four Grand Slam events on the UKBT tour across the country and is regarded as the most prestigious event on the British Beach Volleyball calendar.

This year the list of entrants looks particularly exciting as it includes the English and Scottish women's teams who will two weeks later compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The English representatives are Jess Grimson and Daisy Mumby who won the Classic in 2021 and the Scottish pair are Mel Coutts and Lyn Beattie who won in Weymouth in 2018.

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If the draw obliges we could see a dramatic England versus Scotland confrontation.

Unfortunately, the England men's team of Javier and Joaqui Bello will not be in Weymouth as they are competing in a World Tour event this coming weekend.

As a curtain raiser to the event there is normally a charity event run by Nantes for local businesses to compete in but last year due to Covid restrictions this had to be cancelled.

Organisers have announced its return this year from 6pm on Thursday evening, with 32 local teams battling it out across eight courts to become local business champions.

This is followed on Friday afternoon by a qualifying competition and then the main draw begins at 9am on Saturday afternoon.

Action then continues across five courts throughout Saturday and Sunday, building to the women's and men's final at 3pm on Sunday.

There will be purpose-built seating around Centre Court which is free to spectators to watch the action and there will also be live commentary and music, with Radio One’s Chris Sawyer, producer for host Greg James, the resident DJ throughout the weekend.

The organization team from Weymouth Beach Volleyball Club are excited to be fully back for the first time since 2019.

Event directors Pete Bennett and Graeme Sawyer said: "It is great to welcome back players from all over the country to Weymouth Beach and it will be a great opportunity to show off what a wonderful venue Weymouth is.

"We are delighted that ‘We Are Weymouth’ have also recognized this and backed us in promoting the event.

"We hope locals and visitors alike will turn up to support the teams and to watch high quality beach volleyball."

For more details on the event, sponsored by ‘We Are Weymouth’, go to www.weymouthbeachvolleyball.co.uk