Canberra, Australia, March 9, 2015 – Volleyball Australia has welcomed the possible inclusion of beach volleyball on the program for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Although a final host city for the 2022 Games is yet to be announced, Durban in South Africa has already made its confirmation as the only candidate.

Durban officials included beach volleyball in its list of planned sports if it is awarded the 2022 hosting rights.

It would be the first time beach volleyball has been included on the Commonwealth Games program, although Volleyball Australia CEO, Mathieu Meriaux, remains hopeful the Gold Coast organisers will change their mind about the sport in 2018.

“We are incredibly excited about the prospect of our great sport being included in the 2022 Games,” Mr Meriaux said.

“Hopefully this might prompt the Gold Coast organisers to reconsider it because what greater advertisement could there be for Australia and our beach culture than to have our sport on the 2018 calendar.”

Beach volleyball was only added to a list of eligible Commonwealth Games sports in 2011, but despite intense lobbying, it did not make the final cut for the Gold Coast.

Mr Meriaux said the sport has drastically revised its costing for holding the sport in 2018, and is hoping the Durban decision will act as an impetus for a rethink.

If successful, the 2022 beach volleyball competition will be held on Durbans New Beach.