This weekend we are not only hosting the UKBT's first ever club championships, but bringing our Deep Dish Beach communities together for the first time, for an epic showdown!
We are so excited to announce our line up for our Division 1 Deep Dish Club representatives for our two clubs: Deep Dish Crystal Palace, and Deep Dish Bournemouth!
You can also find some interviews from our athletes below!
PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS
DEEP DISH CRYSTAL PALACE PLAYER INTERVIEWS
DEEP DISH BOURNEMOUTH PLAYER INTERVIEWS
TRENT "KIWI" WEBBY
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Event Manager
How long have you been playing beach?
12 years
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Ruari Souter - the guy doesn't know the difference between a clap and a carry.
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Crunches.. and crunches only. Once you crunch, everything else just falls into line.
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
Unknown number, I thought it was a scam. I blocked the call.
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
You can lead a horse to water, but is it worth two in the bush?
_
AMELIA HADJIANASTASI
Club
Deep Dish Bournemouth
Occupation
Paralegal
How long have you been playing beach?
Consistently, about 5 weeks
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
I’m in the process of finding a rival, so if anyone is interested in being mortal enemies please get in touch
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
I am playing Get’cha Head In The Game by the one and only Troy Bolton on repeat
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I was surprised they hadn’t called sooner
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
The ice cream man called, he’d like his soft serve back
_
MARK GARCIA-KIDD
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Running ONLY this tournament - and playing in all the tournaments I run #clingingon
How long have you been playing beach?
Since 2007, 16 years... the average life span of a wolf
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
I’m in the process of SideOut a rival, so if anyal, so if anyal, so if anyal, so if anyal, soal, so if anyal, so if any if anyone is Trent in being mortal enemies pleal, so if any in touch I’m in the Yellowave is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in Fireball I’m in thal,al, so if anyal, so if any so if anyone is Trent in being mortal enemies Edinburgh get in touch I’m in the process of anyone is Trent in being mortaal, so if anyal, so if anyal, so if anyl enemies Jake Sheaf get in tal, so if anyal, so if anyouch a rival, so if anyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in touch. and finally Amelia Hadjianastasi who is a lil anyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in toanyone is Trent in being mortal enemies please get in t
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Buying the trophy, sleeping with the trophy, kissing the trophy, drinking from the trophy, polishing the trophy, learning how to engrave, learning how to engrave my own name, putting my new puppy in the trophy...
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I looked at myself in the mirror, and said "Do you have it in you?"
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
1. THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN CENSORED BY DEEP DISH BEACH HQ
2. Doesn't matter what happens, I'm going home with the trophy regardless
_
PEARSON STILLER
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Research Assistant on Ukraine Peace Process Design/Beach volleyball coach (unemployed)
How long have you been playing beach?
Longer than all my past relationships combined
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Mateusz Bobkowski, because even after a summer playing together, he still hasn’t figured out how to set a ball
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Stuff blocking Freddie Bialakoz and Issa Batrane in training daily
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I saw the dinosaur on the kit and knew I needed to have it
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
At least the weather supposed to be nice the weekend eh
_
ELLA WATSON
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Expedition Operations Manager @ Raleigh International
How long have you been playing beach?
Thought I only liked indoor, but Deep Dish converted me to beach 3yrs ago
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Beth Morgan just cus the Morgan’s win everything and we need to take them down a peg
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Doing shuttle runs to the pub. Lifting as many pint glasses as my biceps can handle. Playing short court with my partner, the full court is too much effort.
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
Let’s set the scene. I was sat on dining room table, busy working from home with the Elite 16 tournament’ on in the background. I hear my phone ring, I take a look and It says “Deep Dish bossman”. Big boy MGK offered me the position and I simply could not refuse. Can’t remember the last time I was this excited. I get off the phone and think to myself, “right, time to get my priorities straight”. So I focused on the beach volleyball on TV, and put my job on in the background.
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
Get your factor 50 on cus we’re bringing the heat
_
ELLIS PHILLIPS
Club
Deep Dish Bournemouth
Occupation
Vascular Scientist
How long have you been playing beach?
Too long for my knees to cope 😭 - about 4 years
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Aldo Rendon as he is the next smallest player in the world 😉
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Practicing my excuses for hitting the net band…
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I was super happy to be able to represent one of the most influential and biggest beach volleyball clubs in the country at my home beach!
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
If you’re taller than me I suggest you bring someone to cuddle after you get beaten by someone half your height 😘
_
AMBER DAVIES
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Volleyball Coach and Graphic Designer
How long have you been playing beach?
Too long
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
My biggest rivals…. are my inner thoughts
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Eating bread and desserts and getting all fat n sassy
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I was super excited to be able to represent deep dish at a brand new tournament. I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase all the talent new and old clubs bring to the volleyball community in England. I was also a bit worried… i was unsure if the kit colour would compliment my hair colour or not.
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
Be Humble
_
FRANCI BILLATO
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Social Director
How long have you been playing beach?
Three years in-between indoor seasons, but I’ve decided to dedicate to beach just over a year ago!
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
They’re all enemies on the sand & friends outside of the court! 👀
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Mostly chasing coach Dave for extra training sessions & convincing the Deep Dish crew to get blue & pink nails 💙🩷
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
“Does this mean we get the Deep Dish kit?!” 😂 Jk, both Ella and I were honoured, excited and scared at the same time. We’re ready to represent!
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
Whatever the final result, the Deep Dish family will definitely win the “best mani/pedi” trophy!! 💅🏻
_
DAVE (PANDA PANDA PANDA) PANAH
Club
Deep Dish Crystal Palace
Occupation
Selling a drug called volleyball
How long have you been playing beach?
Long enough to represent team Wales, two weeks!
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Conor Robins, we play for team Wales together, and he took my spot unfairly for commonwealth qualifiers just because he was better, and I didn't have a passport
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Bicep curls
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN CENSORED BY DEEP DISH BEACH HQ
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN CENSORED BY DEEP DISH BEACH HQ
_
LUCY KNOTT
Club
Deep Dish Bournemouth
Occupation
I study sportswear at London college of fashion
How long have you been playing beach?
I’ve been playing beach for 2 years now
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Yet to discover…
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Training with other teams (Deep Dish CP) to find competitors weaknesses 😂 - and gym
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
I was so excited and grateful to represent the club and bring back the trophy
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
Let’s win playing on home courts
_
SAMUEL SHOWCASE REID(Y) THE 1ST
Club
Deep Dish Bournemouth
Occupation
Master baker
How long have you been playing beach?
Cheeky decade
Who is your biggest rival from another club?
Ruari Red Falcon Souter because he’s picked other people to play with other than me this year
What are you doing to prepare for the club champs?
Eating doughnuts and practicing cuts (shots)
When Deep Dish made the call, what were your thoughts on representing?
Deepshishers… ASSEMBLE, it is such a great honour, nee a privilege to represent not only deep dish but my home town in the club champs
If you could say one thing to the competition, what would it be?
Better watch out reidys roofs are in town!
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 Beach Instagram
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