OVA News

It was a busier day than might have been expected Sunday at Cobourg’s Victoria Beach.

With more than 50 nets set up, the OVA hosted one of its summer Beach Tour events, which was originally scheduled to take place in Toronto.

Due to the city strike in Toronto, the beach volleyball tournament was moved to Cobourg when organizers found out a week ago Monday that they couldn’t obtain a permit to host the event at Ashbridges Bay.

“Cobourg was very nice to have us on short notice,” said OVA program co-ordinator Josh Nichol, as nearly 150 teams of two competed.

The OVA is no stranger to hosting Beach Tour events in Cobourg during the summer. In fact, they welcome the opportunity.

Nichol said it’s always a positive experience for the OVA organizers as well as the visiting athletes and their families.

“I think just the community in general, the way Cobourg treats us. Everybody is friendly,” Nichol said. “Athletes and parents just enjoy being in this nice community.”

Competing athletes on Sunday were in the 16-under and Youth Open divisions. With a national training camp taking place in Toronto, several potential Canadian team athletes, age 20 and under, were competing.

Locally, there was plenty of local representation as well from the Northumberland Breakers club.

Cobourg was already scheduled to host the OVA Beach Tour the next two weekends (July 11-12 and July 18-19) as well.

The Saturdays will feature the 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U and Adult divisions while players in 16U and Youth Open divisions will compete on the Sundays.

“It’s good for our club because it encourages more participation,” Brad West, a Breakers coach, said of the tournaments held in Cobourg. “It’s also great for the community to be hosting because the majority of people come from out of town.”

 Northumberland Today