New look for volleyball clash

The third annual Hamilton international beach volleyball event has a new sponsor and a new venue at Hamilton Lake.

The TSB Bank Hamilton Beach Volleyball Open runs during Auckland Anniversary Weekend with the main events on January 27 and 28.

The Hamilton Lake venue will shift to the old skating rink near the Verandah Cafe, which will be converted to a sand arena for the event.

International players are being signed up for the event, the middle of a three-stop series organised by Volleyball New Zealand.

Eight Olympic-bound pairs participated in the 2012 event, along with all top New Zealand players, and a similar quality field is planned for next month.

TSB Bank's Hamilton office manager Sandra Streak says the bank is pleased to support a free public entertainment event in Hamilton like the beach volleyball.

Event organiser, and Volleyball Waikato president Dave Macpherson says his organisation was happy with support from the bank.

"Volleyball is a growing sport with a profile that needs boosting, and the TSB Bank's involvement will allow us to really get the message out there about this exciting event."