With their toned limbs and itsy-bitsy bikinis, beach volleyball players are one of the biggest draw cards at most sporting events. But despite being the second most popular Olympic event after the men's 100m final, beach volleyball players still struggle to find sponsors.
Half a million tickets have been sold for the beach volleyball clashes at next year's London Olympic, but the women's squad are still at the mercy of their own appeal as the GB squad has yet to secure a single major sponsorship.
The players believe they are being held back by their 'Baywatch with balls' image and with no major sponsors coming through the team may be forced to pay their own way to play for their country. One of the players, Lucy Boulton, who is ranked second in Britain with her partner Denise Johns believes it is their skimpy outfits which put some companies off the sport. "There is a stigma and it is not taken as seriously as other sports. "But it is a double-edged sword. We have to be realistic and accept that the bikinis also help to get people to the event."
Top beach volleyball players can earn around $36,000 (NZD)a year through Britain’s National Lottery funding which covers budget hotels and flights for international competitions. But most of the girls are forced to raise the extra cash needed through sponsorship, prize money and even through the help of friends and family.