NEW Mayor, Annie Brewster, threw herself wholeheartedly into the opening of the new beach volleyball courts in Verulamium Park, St Albans, on Saturday.

In one of her first engagements since becoming Mayor of St Albans last week, Cllr Brewster was game to try out beach volleyball on the new facility created from sand used on the Olympic courts at Horse Guards parade and the training courts at St James’s Park London.

The district council had organised an Urban Beach Weekend to mark the opening of the courts and over 4,000 people joined in. They also had opportunities to try volleyball, circus skills and a variety of other sporting activities at the same time.

The Mayor said: “I am absolutely delighted to open these stunning courts. During last summer’s Olympics, many of us sat for hours watching the glamorous and demanding sport of beach volleyball. We thought we would never be able to take part because St Albans had no courts and we live miles away from beaches.

“Well, now we can, thanks to Sport England’s backing of our ongoing Olympic and Paralympic legacy drive in St Albans. Not only can we play beach volleyball in Verulamium Park, but also beach soccer, rugby, tennis, Frisbee and even beach fitness sessions.

She added: “Although Britain did not win any Olympic medals for beach volleyball last year, we could see that our team is close to competing at the highest level. With facilities like these, I am confident we can find some champions of the future here in St Albans.”