Backed by FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, Scotland showcased a dominant performance at the recent Europe’s Small Countries Association (SCA) Beach Volleyball Championships held in Ayr. The host nation remarkably secured all three medals in the women`s competition, with Lynne Beattie (pictured in the main photo; credits: Lynne Marshall and Michael McConville) and Mhairi Wallace clinching gold, Kathryn Barbour and Alexis Crusey earning silver, and Alexandra Clegg-Mckeown alongside Melissa Coutts taking home the bronze.
Scottish athletes further excelled in the men`s tournament, capturing both gold and silver. James McHardy and Ross McKelvie emerged victorious, defeating compatriots Euan Mackenzie Fraser and Ben McHardy in an all-Scottish final. The bronze medal in the men`s event was the sole podium finish for other participating nations, secured by Monaco`s Pascal Ferry and Vincent Ferry.
This success follows significant investment, with the Scottish Volleyball Association having received USD 126,000 in coaching support from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment for its national beach volleyball teams. These teams are currently under the tutelage of Rachael Gunn from New Zealand and Seain Cook. Additionally, Scotland`s beach volleyball program has been allocated USD 6,000 to fund a knowledge transfer program aimed at developing national team coaches.
Local favorites Lynne Beattie and Mhairi Wallace displayed an exceptional run to the women`s final in Ayr, navigating four matches without conceding a single set. Their flawless performance included a decisive 2-0 (21-9, 21-18) victory in the semifinal against Tara Mooney and Grace Allen of Northern Ireland.
Kathryn Barbour and Alexis Crusey similarly advanced to the semifinals undefeated, though they dropped their first set of the tournament in a hard-fought 2-1 (15-21, 23-21, 15-11) win against fellow Scottish pair Alexandra Clegg-Mckeown and Melissa Coutts.
The all-Scottish women`s final proved to be a thrilling three-set encounter, with Beattie and Wallace ultimately prevailing 2-1 (21-9, 23-25, 16-14). The Scottish dominance was cemented when Clegg-Mckeown and Coutts secured the bronze medal, defeating Mooney and Allen 2-0 (21-15, 21-11) in the third-place playoff, completing an all-Scottish podium.
Women’s Tournament Overview
For James McHardy and Ross McKelvie, the path to the men`s gold was more challenging. Although the Scottish duo won all four of their matches in Ayr, three of these matches required tie-breaker sets. Their semifinal clash saw them stage a 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-8) comeback against Monaco`s Pascal Ferry and Vincent Ferry to reach the final.
In contrast, Euan Mackenzie Fraser and Ben McHardy enjoyed a seamless journey to the men`s final, winning all four of their matches in straight sets. Their semifinal match concluded with a decisive 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) victory over Wales` Conor Robins and Matthew Pollock.
The men`s final was a closely contested three-set battle. McHardy and McKelvie ultimately completed a 2-1 (17-21, 22-20, 15-10) turnaround to claim the zonal title. In the bronze medal match, Ferry and Ferry defeated Robins and Pollock 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).
Men’s Tournament Overview
The SCA Beach Volleyball Championships in Ayr attracted a total of 12 women`s and 14 men`s teams, representing nine nations: Andorra, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Finley Blackwood 
Jasper Thornfield