Here it is... a deep (dish) dive into our Deep Dish Crystal Palace Championship Division representatives! Check out our interviews with your reps below!
Let's hope we can regain that Championship title this year!
2024 Crystal Palace Club Representatives
Trent Webby & Chris Gregory
Karol Baginski & Dave Panah
Maeve Davitt & Sandra Bollu
Kamila Zimińska & Shaila Alvarez
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CHRIS GREGORY
Occupation? Online Nutrition & Fitness Coach
How long have you been playing beach? Since before I was born
Who is your biggest rival from another club? No Arch Nemesis
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? 10 Body Weight Squats a Day
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? Follow me @gbrchrisgregory
TRENT WEBBY
Occupation? Senior Event Manager
How long have you been playing beach? First touched the sand 12 years ago
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Ross McKelvie - only because he can bench press more than me. #littletitties
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? In the wise words of Britains most famous animal researcher and national treasure, Nigel Thornberry… “smashin’”
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? Honoured to represent and excited to go for the three-peat on the title, even though this only the second year of competition. You do the meths.
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? “What’s your definition of a carry?” (the referee will be my competition)
KAROL BAGINISKI
Occupation? Self employed flipping cars / volleyball coach
How long have you been playing beach? Since January 2020
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Don’t have one this year
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? Applying sunscreen and moisturiser on my face every morning. (Gotta look good as there will be many girls watching)
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? Just a normal day in the office.
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? Andrew can’t set.
DAVE PANAH
Occupation? I'm head coach and facility manager at Crystal Palace deep dish beach volleyball
How long have you been playing beach? I've been playing volleyball for 20 and beach for 10 years
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Same as last year, Conor Robins, because we are team Wales and someone has to show who's carrying whom in our international tournaments
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? I've been doing a lot of celebration practice, last year's lacked a back flip
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? Honoured to be part of this amazing family. Couldn't ask for a better club
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? Bring a rule that the winners must skinny (or not ) dip with medals on
MAEVE DAVITT
Occupation? Masters student
How long have you been playing beach? 5 years
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Last i heard, they were busy inventing new excuses for why they couldn’t beat me. but hey, creativity counts for something, right?
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? Practicing my dives in slow-motion for dramatic effect and making sure my tan lines are just right!
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? It’s like being on a ship called Victory, sailing though waves of competition with a crew of champions!
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? The forecast predicts a 100% chance of victory, with scorching serves and blistering digs!
SANDRA BOLLU
Occupation? Data Analyst
How long have you been playing beach? Showed up at Deep Dish two years ago, fell in love and never left.
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Most of the time I don't really need one because hi, it's me. I'm the problem it's me.
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? Went on a trip back home to Bavaria. Lifting steins and eating sausages improve mobility I've been told.
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? What an honour, I'm so excited !! Let's find out how long this " showing up and rising to the occasion"-streak is going to last for...
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? It's okay to lose. Losing always teaches you something. :)
KAMILA ZIMIŃSKA
Occupation? Friendly multitasker, I handle whatever my big boss throws at me, all while attempting to squeeze in some beach volleyball on the side. Keeps life interesting!
How long have you been playing beach? Since Lewie Lett's pandemic boredom reached critical levels, and he decided to become my coach for three sessions...
Who is your biggest rival from another club? Definitely the seagulls. Always stealing my snacks faster than I can say "volleyball."
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? I've been carbo-loading on beach snacks—chips, ice cream, and those questionable hot dogs from the beach stand. Also, practicing my dramatic dives to impress the crowd, because style points matter, right?
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? Well, let's just say they haven't found a way to shake me off yet, and I keep coming back for more. Poor coaches!
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? Please bring more snacks to the game... My sugar drops quickly...
SHAILA ALVAREZ
Occupation? I get paid for my 3 passions teaching Spanish, acting and coaching volleyball.
How long have you been playing beach? My dad forced me to do 14 years judo, i wish I had started before.
Who is your biggest rival from another club? I heard Anaya.... will be playing, I think it would be hard to concentrate as I am a big fan of hers!
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs? Train to London - Play hard, train hard! Back to Brighton - Play hard, train hard!.... and Repeat!
What are your thoughts on representing Deep Dish? I have trained all winter in Deep Dish, met my lovely partner there and we both went to the qualifiers fought and won! Very grateful to Deep Dish for the opportunity 🙌 and MGK for running the qualifiers for free!
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be? No free points here!! We are ready to fight 💪
We're so excited for the UKBT Club Champs this weekend and can't wait to bring the trophy home!
Get the updates on the day by following the Deep Dish Crystal Palace Instagram
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