Invercargill finally has sand volleyball courts, making the city the proud home of the world's southernmost beach volleyball complex.

After months of hard work, the smooth bowling greens of the former Southland Bowling Club on Forth Street have been transformed into golden beach volleyball courts.

Now known as the Otepuni Community Hub, the centre has been completed just in time for at least 2000 athletes to descend on Invercargill for a week-long extravaganza of volleyball, beginning on Sunday (November 22).

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Volleyball Southland chairwoman Donna Milne said in a media release that Southlanders had really got behind the project to transform the venue, which "also happens to be officially, the southernmost beach volleyball centre in the world". 

The community hub was also a venue for darts and other community groups.

Ms Milne said the organisation had sourced as much as possible from Southland businesses.

“It’s been incredible, they’ve donated, given, discounted, supplied, sponsored, you name it, we’ve been backed in every conceivable way. It really is Southlanders supporting Southlanders, for the benefit of the Southland community,” she said.

Around 2000 players and supporters will descend upon Invercargill this weekend for competitions in both Beach Volleyball and Indoor Volleyball, including the 2020 Southland Island Junior Secondary Schools Indoor and Beach Volleyball Championships.

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NZ Beach Blacks member Mike Watson of Mount Maunganui said he was looking forward to participating in the games.

The Beach Blacks are currently ranked number one beach volleyball team in New Zealand.

“I’m looking forward to returning to the deep south after six years. We don’t get many opportunities to play down there so I’m excited for the upcoming events,” he said.

Watson is also a member of the Continental Cup team, which is attempting to qualify for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 

He is coaching some of the junior athletes and hopes to inspire them to play Beach Volleyball for New Zealand.

The opening ceremony takes place at ILT Stadium Southland on Sunday November 22 from 7pm.

The event finishes with the 2020 King & Queen of the Court Exhibition Games at Cargo Brewery in Gibbston Valley, Queenstown on Sunday November 29 from 11am.

The public are invited to attend the games. More information is available HERE.