This weekend we are not only hosting the UKBT Grand Slam Championships in Bournemouth, but are celebrating the incredible Deep Dish Beach coaches that have made it to the Grand Slam Finals!
IN THE MAIN DRAW
THROUGH TO QUALIFICATION
DAVE PANAH
Deep Dish Crystal Palace Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
It's been 8 years
How has your 2023 season been so far?
It's been a very interesting season, I didn't have a set partner to train with consistently but enjoyed playing with different players. Highlight of ukbt would be the greay club championship tournament where we came first, international would be the small country CEV
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
I've been coaching kids at Crystal Palace for 6 weeks so dealing with adults must be easy.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
I think we are going cause a lot of upsets. Bellos better watch out
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
JJ and hyden would be the one I look forward to challenge.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
A dream came through last year when we qualified to play in last 8 but didn't manage to get good results, this year I'm aiming for a medal
KAROL BAGINSKI
Deep Dish Crystal Palace & Vacations Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
Since January 2020
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
It’s been an incredible season, with some highs and lows. But I’m definitely on my way up even when times are tough by just simply comparing this season to last. My highlight of this season is beating both Issa and David in mixed competitions this year meaning I wear the trousers in this house! (Just no top)
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
I’m working closely with an S&C coach, to improve my overall strength and mobility in volleyball, so I don’t look like donkey-kong on court.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
I don’t think there is anyone that can be a real threat to the Bello brothers unless it’s their little brother Enrique Bello who definitely knows how to get in their heads, let’s see if he can cause an upset in Bournemouth.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
The level is so high that any game will be challenging and fun. If I had to pick one that I’m mostly looking forward to it’s probably Sam Dumbavin, he always finds a way to get in my head whilst playing. This time I’m taking Sam and Jonathan on a train ride and next stop is CLAPham Junction. (If we lose it’s my partners fault)
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
Considering that this time last year I was playing in a small south west league for an indoor team PMVC and occasionally would hit the sand in exmouth playing in 2* events compared to qualifying for the biggest tournament in the UK with the best teams from all across the country and actually having a realistic chance of medalling this already means a lot. (If we don’t medal it’s my partners fault).
JAKE SANDERS
Deep Dish Crystal Palace Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
10 years
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
Definitely the best moment of my 2023 season was winning the 4* northern open. I finally got to live my life long dream of spraying a bottle of fizz as a celebration (even though I messed it up a little). I was also super proud to represent England in Latvia for the U20 European champs last month. I learnt a lot and hopefully I can carry that through into these finals.
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
In preparation for the finals, I have been training as much as possible. we usually train at 7am most days in crystal palace with the boys and it's such a positive and valuable session.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
The tournament lineup is full of strong teams. The Bello brothers are clearly the favourites to win, and are looking extremely strong, but the battle for second place is anybodies game.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
There are lots of exciting teams we could play, is always great fun to play fellow deep dishers Karol and Dave. On my radar to beat are the Scots Callum and Ross. We lost out to them in Weymouth earlier this year but I feel we could easily take it this time.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
I'm super excited to play in the biggest event of the year on the ukbt. It's always super well organised and the level is very high. It means a lot to be able to participate alongside all the other impressive teams aiming for the title.
SAM REID
Deep Dish Bournemouth Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
11 years
How has your 2023 season been so far?
Winning a 2* and a 3* in weymouth at the start of the summer, representing deep dish Bournemouth at the club champs, deciding if I want to commit fully to being a blocker or defender, favourite memory winning the 3* finally after so long
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
Alongside weekly coaching I have been training 3 times a week, and tournaments every weekend in the build up to finals.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
This is mine and Lewis' first time playing together so who knows, it could be the partnership made in heaven, we are coming to make some upsets and bring the heat to really show what we can do.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
It would be interesting to play callum and Ross and see how we can play against the top seeds as I recon we would have a good shot.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
After playing volleyball for nearly 2 decades playing in the grand slam finals is best volleyball experience you can get in the uk. The top 16 teams going head to head to find out who is on top always seeing friends and making new ones.
CALLUM STEWART
Deep Dish Vacations Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve been playing beach competitively for 5 years now so I relatively late starter compared to some others. I used to play indoors and I played golf at uni.
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
My top highlight includes playing the Nations Cup in Israel, as the Olympic qualifier that only happens every four years it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along, and I managed to get a win against Romania and a strong performance in losing against Israel. Going to Tel Aviv for a tournament was a unique experience! My other highlight would be playing King of the Court in the Netherlands with Ross and getting to the semi-finals. The format is great fun and really fast paced and the hosts Sportworx were excellent. The courts were in the middle of the town next to the church. I hope we see more of it in the UK and Europe next year. My biggest challenge this year has been playing volleyball alongside running my business which was opened last September so it’s the first time I’ve had to combine both.
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
I’m trying my best to get some sessions in at CP and Barnes, we played the London Open last weekend which was a good measure. I’ll head down to Bournemouth a day or two earlier and get some sessions in. And watching a lot of Youtube of the beach pro tour.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
My predictions are that it will be around 20C with partial cloud and a strong South-Westerly breeze. I hope so after the torrential rain we’ve had both at Weymouth and London open. The only upsets will be me if the bar runs out of beer. Jokes aside the Bellos are the ones with the target in the men’s whereas I feel the women’s tournament is wide open between 5-6 teams.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
Any of the other Deep Dish staff from tour so I can get bragging rights. I really wanted to play Zec Johnson as he’s beaten me 2-1 on three occasions this year, but he’s run off back to Canada.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
It means a lot, it’s the top level of our sport here in the UK and the setting down at the pier offers a fantastic showcase for friends, family and the general public. I’ve managed to qualify for finals every year since playing on the UKBT and it’s always a weekend I look forward to.
ROSS MCKELVIE
Deep Dish Vacations Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve played beach volleyball for 7 years.
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
The 2023 season has been a mixed bag for me. After 6 months of competing on the New Zealand tour I then came straight into the UK and European season without much of a break. I’ve also moved back home to Scotland so it’s been tough playing with Callum in tournaments without getting any training in together. My season highlight and probably my favourite volleyball memory to date was getting my first main draw pro tour win in New Zealand where we beat a strong China team. This was a huge milestone for us and Scottish volleyball as no team had ever achieved a 9th place finish before.
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
Nothing has changed in terms of prep for this one. I’ve been training on the sand at Portobello in Edinburgh with the Scotland boys and our coach Barry. We’ve even had some sun the last few weeks so training has been even more enjoyable.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
It’s hard to look past the bellos, they’re a class act and when they’re playing their best they’re close to untouchable on the UK tour. In terms of upsets though I think this year the tour has been really open on the men’s side and anyone can beat anyone. So for sure I expect there to be a few upsets in the draw, especially if the weather is like it was earlier in the year down the coast at Weymouth.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
Speaking of the Bellos I’ve never actually played against them in a competitive game so that would be a match up I’d relish for sure. Like any serious athlete you always want to test yourself against the best teams and athletes out there. Past that though to be honest I’d just love to play any pairs with a little bit of chat, I like a game with some flavour so maybe a team like Andrea and Pierre would be a fun match up for me.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
To qualify for the UK finals is always great as you know you’re going to round off the season competing against the top teams from the tour. On top of that it’s always one of the best run events at a really cool venue so I’m for sure looking forward to stepping onto the sand on Saturday. On a personal note too this tournament also marks the end of a full year of playing volleyball full time for me so it would be nice to get a big result before I have to go back to work and get back into that teacher life.
RUARI SOUTER
Deep Dish Vacations Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
My first tournament was in 2019. It did not go well
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
This season has been up and down. A strong start with a few small wins and notably taking down the Scottish Open UKBT event. With a bit of a mid season dip, I’m looking to finish the season strong with a good result in Bournemouth. Club Champs was a great experience this year and it was an honour to represent my home club that I coach for. However my favourite thing about this year has been playing with so many new partners, I love making friends on the UKBT and sowing the seeds for future partnerships.
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
I’ve changed up my workout routine to the following;
3x10 Trophy Lifts
5x4 Obnoxiously Loud Celebrations
Superset
3x10 Making this face 😬 when I serve a trickle ace
3x8 Posing for Podium Pictures
What are your predictions for the tournament?
Every match that we win will be upsetting for our opponents 😤
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
It has to be fellow Deep Dish coaches Karol and David. It will be a feisty matchup. 😏
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
This is my first time playing the Tour Finals so it feels like an excellent opportunity that has been a hard grind to reach. ☺️
NATALIA GRUSZCZYNSKA
Deep Dish Bournemouth Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
Since 2009, so it will have been 14 years! And I'm still not old yet!
How has your 2023 season been so far? Highlights, challenges, favourite memory?
Kamila and I played great 4* tournaments in Bournemouth and Cardiff, finishing 5th in both and a slightly worse Grand Slam in Weymouth. In 4* in London we also played good matches! Favourite memory is definitely Club Championships and the amazing central court vibe with lots of dancing and fun!
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
I visualize myself on the podium with a gold medal around my neck. I'm also telling all my friends to set aside time for the weekend to watch our struggles! 😂
What are your predictions for the tournament?
I bet our pair as a dark horse, but I believe that everyone is capable of winning and losing to anyone, so emotions are guaranteed!
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
We have undrafted duels with Aitana and Kennedy (love you girls 🧡) but we haven't won against Gerda and Lorena this season yet, so it's time to change it!
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
This is the time we have been waiting for and it is also my private goal that I want to achieve since I started playing beach volleyball in the UK. In my first season I could only dream of taking part in this event. A year later, we were supposed to play in the qualifiers, but they were canceled. This is the year when dreams come true!
THROUGH TO QUALIFICATION
GEORGE RUDDICK
Deep Dish Crystal Palace Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve been playing beach volleyball for 3 years, and this year is my second competitive season.
How has your 2023 season been so far?
2023 has been the most difficult season of my life, I left indoor behind this season to work on improving my level on the sand, and the winter was a tough few months, the weather being harsh and having just lost two of my grandparents, motivation was hard to keep. Despite this I’ve managed to win 3 stars and get selected as the reserve for the youth commonwealth games this year, and hopefully now make it to the finals.
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
To prepare for finals me and my partner are training and competing daily on and off the courts.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
I reckon it will be a strong tournament with a few upsets here and there, hopefully with me and my partner taking out a few of the older guys
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
I really want to play against some of the other deep dish players, time to see who wants the win more
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
To play in the main draw would be fantastic, and regardless of the result it will be a good end to the season.
PEARSON STILLER
Deep Dish Crystal Palace Coach
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve been playing beach volleyball for 13 years
How has your 2023 season been so far?
This season has had its ups and downs, but has been good overall. There have been some underwhelming results, but also some great achievements. The highlight has to be winning Club Championship for Deep Dish and going undefeated in sets all weekend. We had trained really hard in the lead up to that, so to perform as well as we did representing the club and with all the people from the club cheering us on makes it an easy choice for my favourite moment.
What are your predictions for the tournament?
My favourite to become UK Champs has to be the Bello brothers. They’ve been performing very well recently, most notably with their quarterfinal appearance at the European Championships. I think there will be lots of upsets on paper, a lot of the teams are incredibly close in skill level to each other, and anyone could win on any day, making for a lot upset potential. I’m hoping we’ll be one of those teams creating upsets.
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
There’s a bunch of teams I’m hoping to be able to play this weekend. No matter who I play, they’re on my radar to try and beat, but would especially be excited to play Dave Panah, Karol Baginski, Jake Sanders, and Harry Jones since I’ve been training with them all summer, so it would be a fun game playing them at the end of the season.
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
Making the main draw would just be the culmination of a lot of time and hard work put in in training, and behind the scenes, and is definitely the minimum goal at this point. Qualify and then try to make as much noise as possible in the main draw.
FRANCESCA BILLATO
Deep Dish Crystal Palace Club Champs Representative
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve quit indoor for beach just over a year ago!
How has your 2023 season been so far?
Loved every second of it (the good and the not-so-good ones too)!
Highlight: Not to brag but… I’VE ACED JAKE SHEAF!
Challenge: Learning how to hand set… still WIP!
Favourite memory: Playing some really good volleyball and challenging and/or winning much more experienced teams at the London 4*, with coach Dave and our friends cheering for us 💙
What are you doing to prepare for the Grand Slam Finals?
Shopping for matching outfits with my partner, duh!
What are your predictions for the tournament?
I hope there will be upsets… I’m here for the drama 👀
Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m excited for a qualification game vs Charlotte & Gabi!
What does it mean to you to play in the UKBT Grand Slam Championships?
It would be a great finish to the season, being the highest level competition I’ve ever competed in since starting to play beach!
We're so excited for the UKBT Grand Slam Finals this weekend and can't wait to see our players cause some upsets!
Get the updates on the day by following the Deep Dish Beach Instagram