Bunton/Harsum reach main draw at U20 CEV Beach Euros as Rates/Anderton bow out after concussion injury

The pair who train together in London finished third at the NEVZA Youth Beach Championships in Bridlington in July to secure their spot representing England. 

And they can now look forward to facing the cream of Europe tomorrow (3rd July) after two wins and one loss in their qualifying Pool C in Battipaglia. 

After beating Alen Aleksanyan and Firdusi Kesoyan of Armenia 2-0 (21-19, 21-12), they then took on Riccardo Santomassimo and Simone Bertoncello of Italy in what proved to be a pivotal match and eventually came through in an extended tie break set (17-21, 21-16, 16-14). 

With their progress already guaranteed, a third match of the day saw them face Víctor López de Miguel and Alejandro Calvo López where they went down 2-0 (21-13, 21-14). 

“We are very happy to have made it through the qualifier,” said Lewis. “It was tough and our draw was not as easy as we thought it would be. 

“But we stayed consistent and were able to come out on top in those important games. Now, it’s onto the main draw we are staying focused and getting our rest tonight before heading out tomorrow with the same energy." 

Prior to Harsum's injury that kept him out for an extended period, the duo have previously played at the U18 iteration of this tournament. 

Back then, in 2024, they flew the flag with pride in Kachreti, Georgia, becoming the country’s first male team since Javier and Joaquin Bello in 2017 to reach the quarter-finals at this level. 

Bailey said: "I am very excited to play in Italy because I have never played here before and its another location I can check off the list. I am most looking forward to competing at the highest junior level. 

"Lewis and I have trained super-hard working with different coaches. For me, individually, I have been in America for the last three weeks training five times a week in the heat which should come in handy when playing in Italy’s expected heat for this coming week."

Now they are into the main draw the former NEVZA Youth Beach Championships at U18 level are hoping to push on. 

Lewis added: "For European U20s we are looking to build more experience playing against teams from outside the UK who are a higher level, which will help us grow as a pairing for the future, but also trying to achieve a respectable finishing place at this tournament to and push England up the rankings. 

"I am very proud to be selected for this tournament and be able to represent England is a rare opportunity, so to be able to do it on the international stage means a lot for me." 

While it proved to be a successful day for the men's pairing, it was more disappointing for the women's duo of Jen Rates and Charlotte Anderton. 

A suspected concussion injury during the second set of their second match cut short their campaign, making them unable to compete in their final Pool C encounter. 

Ealier they had lost 2-0 (21-19, 21-5) to Bulgaria's Ivayla Kireva and Gabriela Petkova before they were forced to retire at 21-10, 13-1 against Nadzeya Tsishkova and Veranika Hrom of Belarus. 

Even so, the pairing were immensely proud to be pulling on the red and white of England in the Mediterranean. 

"Today did not exactly go as planned, and I am quite disappointed with our result," said Charlotte. 

"Nevertheless, it was our first European Championship and it’s never easy going into events like this. 

"I think we could have been more competitive if it wasn’t for the injury I sustained right before the (second) match, but I guess it just wasn’t our time. Hopefully we can come back next time more prepared - and not hit my head! 

"We are incredibly proud to represent England at such a scale... I for one can say that I never thought I would make it this far, but we are incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities our coaches have given us. 

" It is a true honour to be able to compete at such a high level and be surrounded by some of the best athletes in the world. This environment is truly irreplicable." 

Building up to the event, the pair have enjoyed plenty of volleyball and used that to build their understanding of each other's games. 

Charlotte added: "We’ve been preparing all summer by competing at the U20 NEVZA and 3* and 4* UK Beach our events and training regularly two to times per week together. 

"During the month of August, the BVF also funded a 10-day camp with Fireball in Croyde and a two-day training camp in London with the other selected athletes. 

"The training went amazingly and we learned from and got to train with some very high level coaches and athletes, as well as play against them in scenarios made to replicate European championship matches. 

"Before the start of the tournament, we went to Montpellier for the weekend to train in the heat with some amazing coaches. During this time, we have really grown as a pair and are ready to compete at the international level."