ATHLETES from an elite school in Bournemouth stormed to victory in the Sandbanks beach yolleyball competition held over the weekend.

Beach volleyball players Sam Allen, 16, and Matt Hunter, 19, from the LeAF Studio elite athletes’ academy – home to the region’s brightest sporting prospects – won gold and silver in the under-20 category.

Meanwhile, Sam Allen teamed up with fellow LeAF athlete Daniel Genof, 17, to scoop the under-18 title.

And younger school colleagues from the Oak Academy – LeAF campus, Jimmy Snell and Dan Harwood, recently claimed victory in the under-14 Dorset beach volleyball school games to make it a hat-trick of victories for the Academy.

Both Jimmy and Dan, 14 and from Bournemouth, have now gained places in the Elite Athlete programme at LeAF Studio for September.

Executive principal of the LeAF Academy Dr Annetta Minard said: “We are very proud of our athletes and their amazing performances in the recent volleyball competitions.

“They have been training incredibly hard and their success is testament to their efforts – and the support they receive from our fantastic coaches.”

The British Beach Championships were held at Sandbanks earlier this month, as reported in Young Stars last week.

During a scorching day of volleyball, LeAF athletes Sam Allen, Aaron Walrond, 19, and Matt Hunter found themselves fighting it out for the under-20 gold on the Saturday.

Matt Hunter, who was partnered by Ryan Stout from Bournemouth University, claimed victory in a gripping match.

The following day, Sam Allen and Daniel Genof took part in the under-18 competition. They won their way through a talented pool in the elimination rounds and Sam Allen negotiated the pair through a tough semi to add to his second final of the weekend.

The LeAF pair fought for every point despite the 30 degree heat and claimed a 2-0 victory to become the 2013 Sandbanks under-18 champions.

LeAF, which is based at Duck Lane, Bournemouth, is home to the UK’s first, and only, indoor beach volleyball training centre.

It is a federation of academies comprising the LeAF Studio which provides specialist education for 14-19 year-olds, the Oak Academy for 11-19 year-olds, Elm Primary and Little Oaks Nursery.