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Volleyball Master Goes Again. 12 November 2011

With summer fast approaching, most men in their sixties are probably thinking about a round of golf or a spot of fishing. Jerry Bogdanoff is not like most men.

The indefatigable 2009 World Masters Gold Medallist, has decided to dust off his board shorts and again hit the beach for the forthcoming Bunbury beach volleyball season at Koombana Bay which kicks off this week.

Jerry, originally from Southern California relocated to Bunbury in the early 70’s and is the founding father of Beach Volleyball in the South West. While it was a far cry from the hurly burly of Huntington Beach, Jerry has come to love the laid back lifestyle and the camaraderie that the sport has to offer.

The unassuming Bunbury businessman fondly recalls the early days on the sun drenched Los Angeles beaches where you would arrive early and put your name at the bottom of a long list of challengers on the centre court clipboard. “In those days, it was very much a “king of the court” mentality, where you won your game and stayed, or lost and were cheekily advised “swim time boys!” by the victors, while your name went to the bottom of the list again. You certainly had to make the most of your opportunities!”

“It’s a lot different these days” according to Bogdanoff, “Beach Volleyball has become such an accessible sport, and while I still prefer the traditional 2-a-side format, with competitions for both four and six player teams, just about anyone can give it a go.”

With one eye on teaming up with long time beach partner John Whitelaw to defend their gold medal status at the 2013 World Masters in Italy, Bogdanoff regularly plays three to four times per week, to maintain a high level of fitness.

While he might not dominate the local beach scene like he once did, Bogdanoff, a Bunbury Volleyball Association life member, remains very competitive in both mind and body and will ensure the game’s “youngsters” earn every point.		  

Jerry "Ropes" Bogdanoff.

Delyse Mercer and Claire Francis enjoy Gold!

  

Masters Gold for Bunbury Beach Volleyballers 17 October 2011.

The start to this summer’s beach volleyball season got off to a flyer with Bunbury players cleaning up at last week’s XIIIth Australian Masters Games in Adelaide.

It was gold medals galore with Andrew Cresswell and Clee Avard taking out the 30+ Men’s Pairs, while Claire Francis and Delyce Mercer were undefeated in the 30+ Women’s Pairs.

The players also joined forces to win the 30+ mixed Fours division in perfect spring conditions at the unique beach volleyball venue in the heart of the Adelaide CBD.

Avard and Francis then teamed up, and came with one game of securing the 30+ mixed pairs title, but in the end had to settle for silver after being defeated in the hard fought final.

Jim Medew helped round out a very successful tournament for the local contingent when he teamed up with his Victorian based partner to take gold in the 45+Men’s pairs division, defeating teams from the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.