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17/07/2014

Travelling Aussies happy on the road

By Marinthe Bos

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, July 17, 2014 – Life away from home can sometimes be tough. But for Australia’s Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy, who qualified for the first round at the US$1-million Transavia Grand Slam on Thursday, the Hague is just one stop on a 12-week journey for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

However they are happy with life on the road and are confident they are beginning to make progress after joining forces in 2013.

“I think we are doing pretty good in finding the balance in our team,” Bawden commented. “We have a really good group around us with really good coaches. We are respectful to each other and try to be supportive. It’s not always easy but we love to go to these events.’

The weather helps, of course, with the advantage of having summer in the northern hemisphere only to return to much of the same in the southern hemisphere.

“I was missing home and then I saw that it was eight degrees in Adelaide and I was like: I see you later,” Bawden said.

But the pair are equally as motivated to move on, exclaiming that they go into each competition with one thing on their mind.

“We are going to every tournament to win. We’re looking forward to going back to the Hague and we feel good about the energy in the team. We do have high hopes in advancing this tournament.”

Winning this Grand Slam is not the only thing Bawden and Clancy have their eyes on. Australian beach volleyball has seen some success at past Olympic Games most notably Nathalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst’s gold medal in front of their home fans at the Sydney 2000 Games.

“It would be a really nice story if we win a gold medal at the Olympics as well,” Clancy said.

“Yeah, Australia winning on Bondi beach and then winning on Copacabana would be great,” Bawden added.

But for now they have to concentrate on this Grand Slam and the tandem are enjoying Amsterdam and the Hague a lot.

“I love how everyone is so excited,” Clancy explained. “At first I was a bit sceptical about the three venues because you’re not around everyone but everything is so easy and the courts are so nice. Everyone is helpful and excited about what is going on.”

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