Volleyball returns to the Foley Event Center this weekend with the Hall of Fame Volleyball Classic January 13 -14.
The first event of the new year will bring in 30 girls volleyball teams ranging in age from 6 to 18. The tournament is sanctioned by the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball. While 30 teams is a smaller tournament for the organization, a large portion focuses on the training of new officials of the Gulf Coast Region to be able to handle the demand for larger future tournaments.
Tournament Director and Commissioner of the Gulf Coast Region, Phillip Bryant said the organization is looking forward to the Hall of Fame Volleyball Classic being the beginning of a long relationship with Foley Sports Tourism (FST).
“It’s a world-class facility and is in close proximity to the home office in Orange Beach providing a wonderful experience for teams, families and our Gulf Coast Region event staff,” Bryant said.
While the home office is a stone’s throw from the facility, the tournaments organized by the Gulf Coast Region draw teams from around Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and beyond.
Director of Recreation and Sports Tourism, David Thompson said the partnership is something that will help grow the sport locally, while simultaneously bringing economic impact to Foley. The first of eight volleyball events scheduled for 2018, the partnership with Gulf Coast Regional Volleyball is already making an impact.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to pair with an organization who understands the beauty of our home,” Thompson said. “We are both invested in this area and seeing it thrive. By working together to bring more opportunity for volleyball to Foley we can encourage local participation while still drawing competition from outside. Phillip Bryant is truly a leader for volleyball on the Gulf Coast and we are very fortunate to have him as a partner.”
The Hall of Fame Volleyball Classic kicks off at 9 a.m. January 13. The public is encouraged to attend, admission is $5 for those 12 and older.
For more information on this or any FST event, check out our events page.
