Beach volleyball is set to take off again on Rarotonga with the confirmation that a purpose built beach volleyball court will be constructed in Nikao next to the national tennis courts.

On Monday a special ceremony was held at Nikao to turn the first sod on what will become two international sized courts on the 2000 square metre site.

Present for the ceremony was landowner representative Vaitoti Tupa who had the honour of turning the soil first.

President of the Cook Islands Volleyball Association Papa Tuaputa Tuaputa followed suit, digging out a shovel full of dirt before government representative and Minister of Planning and Infrastructure Teariki Heather got stuck in with some quick fire shovelling action.

Heather, along with Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee president Sir Geoffrey Henry and former minister of sports Ngamau Munokoa were instrumental in helping the volleyball association acquire the lease for the land which they signed last week.

In fact, a longer list of people had a hand in getting the plans for a purpose built volleyball court off the ground including former beach volleyball players, CIIC board members, volleyball association members and the whole volleyball community.

Volleyball association secretary Ngatuaine Maui read out a brief background of the Cook Islands beach volleyball history telling those gathered that the sport was not new to the island but enjoying a revival.

Beach volleyball hit the rock in 1997 with a grassroots course introduced to local players by Australian volleyball development officer Andy Burdin.

In 1998 beach volleyball was included in the Cook Islands Games volleyball programme in partnership with the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa held at the then beach volleyball headquarters in Aroa.

That same year the Cook Islands mens volleyball team of Makea Pauka and Apera Ori won bronze at the Oceania tournament.

The Cook Islands became a member of the Federated International de Volleyball executive board in 1999.

Now, after years of negotiations the dream of the volleyball association is finally coming true but Heather says that its up to the association to organise and get work started on the courts which can turn from the two international sized courts to four domestic courts.

The area also has potential for other codes including beach soccer and beach touch rugby.

According to Oceania volleyball bronze medallist and current indoor womens volleyball squad coach Makea Pauka, an international sized court, which is also the same size used in the Olympics, is 18 metres by 9metres which doesnt include the 5-metre clearance around the court needed for runoff and serving.

Boxing will need to be constructed around the 2000 square metre site where special sand from Aroa will be built up inside.

The shady flame tree on the section will remain and picnic tables will be set up under the tree for a social area for players and supporters.

At this stage there is no time frame for construction to begin as this will all depend on funding.

The volleyball association is extremely excited with the progress being made on their soon to be headquarters and if businesses are keen to be part of this exciting revival, your sponsorship will be much appreciated.

For more details on how you can get involved with the exciting sport contact Ngatuaine Maui at internal affairs.