Beach volleyball comp canned for Surf Coast

There are claims the Victorian government cancelled an agreement to host the 2025 beach volleyball world championships in Torquay, just weeks after giving the nod.

Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher claims the government pulled the plug on the agreement in October 2023.

He says it was cancelled just weeks after agreeing to a $15 million deal, but the government then funded a bailout of Netball Australia.

“I don’t understand how they can put their hand up, take their hand down, put it up and pull it back down,” he told the Herald Sun.

A spokesperson for the government says no contracts were signed and a non-binding expression of interest was revoked in September.

The news comes as the fallout continues over the Andrews government’s announced it will no longer be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Geelong was due to host several sports for the event.

Federal member for Corio Richard Marles said while it was disappointing, it was ultimately the decision of Premier Daniel Andrews.

“We understand that, we respect that,” he said.

“The Victorian government’s made it clear to the communities of regional Victoria including my community of Geelong, that the infrastructure that was promised, as associated with the Games, will be delivered.

“We welcome that and we look forward to working with the Victorian government to see that happens.”

Picture: File image [Pixabay]