Winning the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Volleyball Tour – MRA WA Open proved particularly sweet for Joshua Court.

Court combined with Victorian Damien Schumann to win the men’s event at Scarborough Beach earlier this month. Amid stifling conditions, the pair beat Bo Soderberg and Cole Durant 21-19, 21-18 in the final.

Schumann and Court have already won tournaments this year at the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships in the Gold Coast, and the South Australian and Queensland opens.

Winning the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Volleyball Tour – MRA WA Open was extra satisfying for Court, who moved to Melbourne three years ago from Perth and has built a successful partnership with Schumann during the past two years.

Court said he relished the support from loved ones in the crowd at Scarborough Beach. “I had lots of friends and family there and the support was amazing,” he said. “I really enjoy playing at home and it was great that we were able to perform so well.”

Schumann and Court are riding a hot streak and their sizzling form can be attributed to diligent preparation. “We have been working on our attacking play,” Court said. “We are renowned for defence and that has been a strength for us. But to get better we needed to put out foot down on offence, especially on serve.”

Despite their rich vein of form, Court believed there was scope for improvement. “We can’t be satisfied with our achievements and there are always things to work on,” he said. “We will keep working hard and hopefully the results take care of themselves.”

The pair are in the midst of a gruelling campaign which will continue during a tour of Asia next month. Court said they were hopeful of making the Rio Olympics, which can only be achieved if Australia can qualify a team at the Continental Cup in Russia in July.

“We have been training solidly with the national team in Adelaide, and our good results have been indicative of that,” he said. “It has been intensive and we haven’t had much time off but it has all been worth it.”

“The Asia tour in March and April will be key for us and we are really excited for it. Our expectations are high and obviously we would love to be at the Olympics but if we don’t then we would give support to an Australian team who did make it.”

“We just want to keep improving and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”