Scottish Volleyball is proud to launch the Tartan Talent Beach Pathway for the 2025 season – an ambitious and inclusive programme designed to inspire and support Scotland’s next generation of beach volleyball athletes.
With five interconnected elements – Discover, Futures, Academy, League, and International Events – the pathway offers clear progression from first touches at local sessions to elite international competitions against future Olympians. Each strand plays a vital role in ensuring athletes at all levels have the opportunity to grow their game, gain exposure, and develop within a supportive national structure.
Discover – Take Your First Step
The Tartan Talent journey begins at the Discover stage, with open sessions for athletes born in 2006 or later. These sessions offer an opportunity for athletes to be seen by national coaches, experience structured beach training, and find out more about the pathway. Whether you’re transitioning from indoor volleyball or trying beach for the first time, Discover is an accessible starting point.
This year’s sessions will take place on 7th and 8th June at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh with the support of Edinburgh Beach Volleyball Club. Registration is open to all interested athletes and can be completed on the JustGo database or you can follow this direct link here: https://scottishvolleyball.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=AAFE2F8F2A6F22D5F8410C6D8CB0CF38BE885BEC
Futures – Local Sessions, National Support
For those unable to attend Discover or not selected for the Academy, Tartan Talent Futures ensures that no athlete is left behind. Led by Scotland Beach Head Coach Rachael Gunn in partnership with local beach clubs, Futures sessions are delivered across the country and are open to all athletes regardless of experience or selection status. These regular, local sessions are designed to provide a fun and challenging environment focused on developing core beach skills and game understanding.
By embedding the pathway into club structures, Scottish Volleyball is strengthening its grassroots base and ensuring wider access to national programmes. Keep an eye on our website and social media for Futures sessions coming to your area.
Academy – Focused Development for Top Talent
At the heart of the pathway sits the Tartan Talent Beach Academy – a performance-focused programme for selected athletes showing strong potential.
Academy members will train twice a month under the guidance of the Scotland Beach Head Coaches, working on technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of the game. Training camps are held at venues around Scotland including St Andrews, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Ayrshire, offering a high-quality learning environment whilst balancing travel requirements.
Importantly, athletes receive individualised development reports through Perfbook, allowing coaches, players, and parents to track progress over time. The Academy is not just about producing results, it’s about building well-rounded athletes prepared for high-level competition.
2025 Academy Camp Dates:
- 28/29 June – St Andrews
- 12/13 July – Aberdeen
- 23/24 August – Ayrshire
- 27/28 September – Edinburgh
“The Tartan Talent Beach Pathway is a key part of our long-term vision for Scotland’s young beach athletes,” said Ally Jack, Head of Performance and Coaching. “It gives players from all across the country the opportunity to learn, develop, and ultimately represent Scotland on the international stage. We’re proud of the collaborative approach involving clubs, technology, and expert coaching that makes this programme truly unique.”
League – Compete, Learn, and Improve
The Tartan Talent Beach League offers an alternative to traditional competition formats alongside supporting athletes to compete in the UK Beach Tour. Athletes enter individually or with pairings selected by coaches to ensure balanced teams and fresh challenges. The aim is competitive development, not just results.
Each league event is analysed using Balltime Ai, giving athletes and coaches performance insights that would typically only be available to senior national teams. Personalised feedback supports the athlete’s learning journey and encourages reflective practice.
2025 League Dates:
- 27 July – Tartan Talent Beach League (Edinburgh)
- 9/10 August – Scottish Junior Beach Championships (Ayrshire)
- 17 August – Tartan Talent Beach League (Aberdeen)
International Events – Represent Scotland
The pinnacle of the pathway is the opportunity to represent Scotland on the international stage. Athletes progressing through the Academy and League may be selected to compete at the following events:
- U17 & U19 Small Countries Association Championships – acting as qualifiers for European Championships in 2026.
- U18 & U20 CEV European Championships – the top youth events on the continent which Tokyo 2020 winners Mol/Sorum and Paris 2024 Gold Medallists Ahman/Hellvig all competed at.
- Youth Olympic Games 2026 – a prestigious multi-sport event with world-class standards as part of the British Volleyball Federation programme (subject to qualification).
- Youth Commonwealth Games 2027 – a key opportunity to wear the Scotland kit on the global stage (subject to Beach Volleyball’s continued inclusion).
Selection for international events will be based on performance, commitment, and readiness as assessed by the national coaching team. These experiences offer invaluable exposure to high-pressure environments and allow athletes to benchmark themselves against Europe’s best.
A Connected Pathway for All
Whether you’re taking your first steps on the sand or preparing for international selection, the Tartan Talent Beach Pathway offers a place for you. It’s more than a programme – it’s a movement that is growing year-on-year, fuelled by passionate athletes, supportive clubs, and an ambitious national vision.
Join us on the sand this summer.
Register now for the Discover sessions at scottishvolleyball.justgo.com.
For ongoing updates on the Academy, League, Futures, and international selections, follow @scottishvolleyball on social media or visit our website.