Coast goal for beach duo

AUSTRALIANS Rebecca Ingram and Carrie Van Rensburg have the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on their mind after soaring to beach volleyball gold in the Bahamas with “Another Day In Paradise” as their theme song.

The duo did not drop a set in five matches, including yesterday’s strong display against New Zealand in the tropical heat that seared the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The statuesque Ingram’s dominance at the net with six kill blocks and Van Rensburg’s dinks and delivery to her taller partner were a perfect cocktail in a decisive 21-13, 21-13 victory.

“We’re just over the moon ... we’ve been kind of dreaming of this for a year ever since it was announced beach volleyball would be at the Commonwealth Youth Games for the first time,” Ingram said.

Ingram, 18, revealed she is heading to Florida this week to start a scholarship at Stetson University, which will be home for four years as she builds her Commonwealth Games and Olympic dreams.

“Skype, text ... there’s so many ways to stay in touch and I’ll be home for the summer series in Australia to keep playing with Carrie,” she said.

These are watershed moments for Ingram, from Maffra’s dairyland in country Victoria, while Van Rensburg, 17, will return to Year 12 studies at Haileybury in Keysborough with her golden booty.

“It’s awesome to get a win for Australia especially in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and to inspire other young athletes in our sport,” Van Rensburg said.

“I played our Under-23 championships on the Coolangatta beachfront and that setting is going to be amazing at the Commonwealth Games.

“When we first met three years ago, Bec was still living in the country but she’d come to Melbourne and stay at my place during training times.

“We’re partners on the sand and best friends.”

Ingram is the messy, outgoing, naturally noisy type. Van Rensburg is more orderly and quiet but both agreed that the old Phil Collins’ hit Another Day In Paradise was the theme song they needed on repeat in the Caribbean.

Ingram penned her cues on the inside of her left wrist “Positive, Loud, Aggressive, Passion” with “FUN” highlighted most of all.

The last of the 18 sports approved for the Commonwealth Games schedule was perfectly summed up by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate: “Nothing says quintessential Gold Coast like beach volleyball.”

Coach Mandy Combes said: “It’s really critical for beach volleyball to show we are a podium-level sport and this performance in the Bahamas is a great showcase of our junior talent heading towards the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.”

In the pool, Brisbane’s Meg Harris, 15, claimed a fine 50m freestyle win with a big personal best of 25.89 sec with her first time under 26.