LONDON 2012: Mullin and Dampney want to earn Olympic place by right

Posted: Wednesday 27th July 2011 | 11:59

SHAUNA Mullin is determined to qualify for next year's London 2012 beach volleyball without the need for a host nation invite.

CONFIDENT: Shauna Mullin and partner Zara Dampney believe they can qualify for next year's Olympics without the need for a host nation invite

Mullin and partner Zara Dampney are the top ranked British pair on the FIVB world tour and will get the chance to sample the atmosphere at the Horse Guards Parade venue at next month's official test event.

One men's and one women's pair have been given the opportunity to utilise a host nation quota place by the British Olympic Association.

A second men's and women's pair will also be granted potential spots but only if they are inside the top 23 of the world rankings when the Olympic qualifying curtain comes down in June 2012.

Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns are also challenging for British supremacy but Mullin remains upbeat she and Dampney can cope with the pressure.

“At the moment Zara and I aren’t too far off qualifying in our own right in the top 16," she said.

"It’s key to get some good results in the Opens at the end of the year. If we were able to do that, that would free up the wildcard spot for Lucy and Denise.

"We also have an opportunity to go through the Continental Cup, of which the semi-finals and finals are next year in May and June.

"There are a couple of chances but at the moment Zara and I are just focusing on putting on performances and putting out our best game.”