Two nights, 36 teams, more than 200 players – when you look at the numbers, as well as at the first-rate venue, the Douglas Recreation beach volleyball league is truly impressive.
Jesse Welch has been head of the recreation committee for around 12 years and says the league has been running for more than 35.
Having to remove the sand each year became an issue and eventually, four volleyball courts were installed behind the outdoor rink.
Beach volleyball is a fun sport that anyone can play, says Welch. And, while the league was popular enough pre-pandemic, things have really ramped up in the years since.
At one time, all games were played on Thursday nights but COVID rules required the committee to split up games into two nights. As things opened back up and attendance increased, the league was split up into two categories.
Douglas is just a small village, so where are all these players coming from?
And the adults aren’t having all the fun, either.
Dave Dobson came aboard last year to introduce a children’s program that will run on Monday nights in July and August.
That program has about 75 kids registered so far, with a capacity for up to 100.
The Tuesday and Thursday night leagues started up last week, but not before some major freshening up of the courts.
Last year, the committee installed fences to control out-of-bounds balls and one of those was extended this year, along with other improvements.
Modest registration fees help cover some of the costs to run the program, however, says Welch, it’s a major winter event that does the heavy lifting.
And the committee is in the process of organizing an Irish-themed golf tournament this summer. ‘St. Paddy’s in July’ is set for July 27 at Whitetail Golf Club in Eganville. Registration opens June 1 and organizers are still looking for sponsors. Check out the Douglas Recreation Facebook page for more details.
Douglas beach volleyball is played at 5346 Queen St.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)