Halifax, Canada, December 8, 2011 – Halifax will become the first city to host back-to-back FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Junior World Championships after the sport’s governing body announced that the waterfront town will welcome the world’s best junior players once again in 2012.

The six day tournament will take place from August 28 to September 2 and features a Main Draw of 32 teams for the first time, as the competition for players under 21 continues to grow in both size and stature.

The 2011 edition of the tournament was deemed a great success, with over 14,000 fans travelling to the waterfront to take in the action, and those numbers are expected to grow again this year.

“I’m thrilled at having the chance to welcome some of the sports youngest and brightest athletes to Canadian shores yet again,” Volleyball Canada president Hugh Wong said after signing the agreement. “Last year’s event was a new milestone for us as a national federation and we’re obviously hoping to build on that further in 2012. It was so wonderful to see thousands of fans supporting the players in 2011 in what was a highlight for Canadian beach volleyball. I have little doubt that we’ll add to the experience come August next year.”

The FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Junior World Championships are held annually at beach locations all over the world. Last year’s event was unique, with organizers creating a beach surface featuring 2,000 tonnes of sand, as well as a temporary stadium.

Just like last year, Volleyball Canada will partner with Sports & Entertainment Atlantic, and President Derek Martin added that they look to build on last year’s edition.

“Last year’s tournament was a great success in so many ways and the overwhelming support we received from the community encouraged us to bring it back again” he said. “With an estimated economic impact of almost $3 million dollars, this is the type of International event that benefits all of Nova Scotia and Halifax should take pride in being awarded the unprecedented rights to host it two years in a row.”

FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission secretary Vicente Araujo explained the fact that the Swatch Junior World Championships is returning to Halifax says a lot about how well it was organized last year.

“The 2011 edition of the tournament was magnificent,” he added. “The platform created by both Volleyball Canada and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic for beach volleyball was exactly what we were looking for so I am excited to see how they aim to improve on it in 2012. It has been said many times that these players are the future of the sport and to have this raw talent matched with such a brilliant setting is a positive advert for beach volleyball.”

With sell-outs on the final three days of competition in 2011, the Swatch Junior World Championships were the must-see event in Halifax leading into the Labour Day weekend and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic is already working with government and corporate sponsors to ensure the 2012 event builds on that excitement. Tickets for the 2012 event will go on sale on December 8, 2011 at 12:00pm Atlantic time through online ticket provider mytix and can be purchased online at www.sandjamhalifax.com or by phone at 902.496.4749. Ticket prices have been kept at the same reasonable prices as in 2011, with a Full Week Centre Court 6-day tournament pass for as low as $60 (plus HST and service fee) and GA tickets for as low as $5 a day. Single day tickets will be available at a later date, if available.

Last year over 400 volunteers helped make the tournament a success.

About The FIVB:
The FIVB consists of 220 affiliated Federations and governs, manages and promotes all forms of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball worldwide through tournaments such as the World Championships, World League, World Grand Prix, SWATCH FIVB World Tour, SWATCH FIVB World Championships, Continental Beach Volleyball Cup, Beach Volleyball World Cup, World Cup, Grand Champions Cup, Junior and Youth tournaments and, of course, the Olympics. In the words of now Honorary President Dr. Rubén Acosta, the FIVB has entered the third phase of its life with the election of Jizhong Wei as President, after 24 years of continuous improvement under Dr. Acosta and the 37 years of leadership from President Paul Libaud. The crowning achievement after 24 years of peerless leadership from Dr. Acosta was in realising his dream of creating a fitting home for Volleyball's future generations. The result of his endeavour was the creation of "Château Les Tourelles", FIVB's stunning headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.

About Sports & Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A):
Sports & Entertainment Atlantic is committed to delivering the ultimate experience with each event property it champions. Whether S|E|A is producing the event or developing strategic sponsorship activations, their aim is to make an indelible impression, change perceptions, influence behaviour, and ultimately deliver the results our clients seek. S|E|A properties and clients include: 2011 FIVB Swatch Junior World Championships, Touchdown Atlantic, Rogers Red Zone, Football Canada Cup, Waterfront Winterfest, Bust A Move, Tall Ships Nova Scotia, NSGC, Halifax Rocks, Saint Mary's University, World Junior Hockey Championships, David Foster’s Crescendo, Lobsters in the City, and the prestigious Vanier Cup.

Contact:

Sports & Entertainment Atlantic
Corinne Maclellan
902 209 3234

FIVB
Richard Baker
FIVB Press Director
Email: press@fivb.org

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