Professional beach volleyball players and Olympic gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook joined NSW Premier Mike Baird at Manly Beach today to launch this year’s Volleyfest competition.

“The gold medal performance by Kerri and Natalie at the Sydney Olympics was one of the most memorable sporting achievements of the Games, and this competition will provide a boost for the sport just in time for the Rio Olympics,” Mr Baird said.

“Volleyfest will attract some of the world’s best players to Australia’s best beach across nine days of top quality international competition.

“This competition will provide a boost for the local area and will showcase Australia’s beach culture to the world when it’s held just after the Australian Open of Surfing.”

The NSW Government will support the event over the next three years through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Over the next three years, the competition is expected to attract more than 8,000 domestic and international visitors who are expected to spend an estimated $6.2 million.

Now in its second year, Volleyfest will include the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour Finals on the 19-20 March, the 4 Nations Cup on the 21-22 March, and the AVC Asian Championships played from 23-28 March.

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Vollyfest launch: Mariafe Artacho del Solar, Nicole Laird, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Kerri Pottharst, Natalie Cook. To download image: right click and ‘Save image as’