A group of Canadian volleyball teams will descend on the island this week to compete in the Bermuda Open 2017, sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

According to a spokesman around 80 volleyball players, coaches and spectators are expected, including four visiting club and collegiate teams, who are set to compete against four Bermudian teams.

Elisabeth Rae, co-president of the Bermuda Volleyball Association, said the indoor tournament at Warwick Academy is hoped to raise the profile of local volleyball.

“Giving our local teams a chance to compete against overseas teams, not only gives them valuable match experience, but shows Bermuda what it can do and inspires the next generation of volleyball players,” she said.

Meanwhile Daniel Johnson, assistant product development management for sports at the BTA, said the move is the newest addition to the island’s sport tourism efforts.

“Events of this type make up a sizeable part of this year’s sports tourism calendar,” he said. “We’re pleased to be working with all of them to grow Bermuda as a sports tourism destination while at the same time helping to strengthen local sports programmes.”

The BTA is a partner in about 40 sports tourism events this year, most of them in the “shoulder season” between November and March. The list spans a diverse array of sports including golf, fishing, track and field, squash, bridge, triathlon and sailing — including the upcoming 35th America’s Cup.