IT is making a name for itself as one of the most popular sports at the Olympics, and beach volleyball is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular new sports in South Wales.

The sport has seen a massive rise in popularity since it was first introduced to the Olympics at Atlanta in 1996, and more than 350 people in Wales now regularly enjoy the sport.

A new beach volleyball facility is now up and running at Barry Island, and Karl Harwood, the president of the Welsh Beach Volleyball Commission, said:

"It has grown in popularity even more here in South Wales than any other region in the UK, and Barry Island is the ideal place to play." He added: "Barry Island is so good because of the quality of the sand, the facilities there and the beach isn't busy."

Professionals train at Barry all year round, but courts are set up daily during the summer holidays, and Karl is there every day to offer free coaching to anyone who fancies giving it a go.

So why is beach volleyball such a popular and fast-growing sport? Mr Harwood said: "It is a non-contact sport and it is played on the sand, so it is very safe.

"It is accessible to everyone, no matter what age or gender, and you don't need a lot of money to play it."

Interest in beach volleyball has also grown since the Atlanta Games, and with this year's Olympic Games in Athens, the sport has been thrown into the spotlight once more.

If London wins its bid for the 2012 games, Barry Island could even be a possible location for the volleyball village, where players would train before the competition.

It is also hoped that the resort will hold a World Series event in the future, and plans are being drawn up. Adrianne Maslen