South Africa was not only represented by a male team at the volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, but the women team also stood out.
The tour is a worldwide professional beach volleyball contest for both men and women which was held from Tuesday 2 until Sunday 6 November in Cape Town.
It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and winning it is considered to be one of the highest honours in international beach volleyball, with only the World Championships and the Olympic beach volleyball tournaments being deemed more prestigious.
While the local focus was on Grant Goldschmidt and Leo Williams who represented South Africa in the main draw, Tamlyn Thomas from Eastridge was also in action. She teamed up with Tatiana Somopolous in the women’s competition. The pair finished 16th.
“I used to be a track and field athlete at Imperial Primary School and completed my high school education at the Western Cape Sports School in Kuils River. My current coach Elmien Cloete saw me and asked if I want to join the volleyball team. From then I just fell in love with the sport and never looked back,” says Thomas.
She is currently playing for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where she is completing her B Ed degree.
Achievements
“I received my first provincial colours in 2012 and my national colours in 2013. Currently, I don’t have a set partner at the provincial and national levels. However, recently Tatiana Somopolous (Elite 16 Pro Tour) and Nelia Tembe (World Student Games in Brazil) are my partners. Thomas is not an Olympian or a Commonwealth competitor yet, but it is her goal to represent South Africa in both. On her bucket list is definitely going to the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
