'Beach volleyball is a proper sport, it's not just about hot girls in bikinis!' Zoe Hardman defends the girls in knickers

PUBLISHED: 14:35, 20 September 2012 | UPDATED: 15:38, 20 September 2012

TV presenter Zoe Hardman hopes more people will take up beach volleyball following the popularity of the sport during the London 2012 Olympics.

Zoe fronted the BBC's coverage of the event from Horse Guards Parade over the summer and was delighted to see how many spectators - including Prince Harry - enjoyed the competitive action.

She hopes the public's perspection of beach volleyball has now changed and that more families will start playing the game as part of the London 2012 legacy.

Fun and competitive sport: TV presenter Zoe Hardman has played volleyball since the age of six and hopes more people will take it up following the London 2012 Olympics

Zoe, who has played volleyball herself since the age of six, told the MailOnline: 'Before the Olympics, people thought beach volleyball was all about hot girls in bikinis but when they actually watched it they saw how physical and competitive it is.

'It's a proper sport, it's not just mucking about hitting a ball over a net, I really hope this helps more people get into playing volleyball.'

To this end, Zoe has joined forces with the charity Action For Kids to support their endeavours to get more children involved in sport. The national charity helps children with physical and learning disabilities and their families through the provision of mobility equipment, training and support.

Getting active: Zoe is supporting the charity Action For Kids who are holding a beach volleyball tournament in London that will include children with learning and physical disabilities

On Friday, they will stage their annual City Beach Volleyball Championships in Broadgate, in the City of London. The tournament is open to all with the aim of raising much needed funds for the charity through sponsorship, while also getting people to have fun playing sport. There will also be a sitting volleyball tournament for those with a physical disability.

Zoe has been to visit some of the teams taking part in the tournament in training and said it was fantastic to see children of all ages and abilities giving the sport a go and enjoying it.

She said: 'They are all having such fun. I am a firm believer that if you get kids playing sport, it changes things in their lives. Sport keeps children busy, it keeps them fit and healthy. Healthy body equals healthy mind and it will also help with their diet. I think it's really important to get kids up and about exercising.'

Olympic fever: Sell-out crowds enjoyed the beach volleyball action at Horse Guards Parade over the summer

Zoe, 29, is delighted the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics has given children new role models to look up to and she hopes the summer buzz around sport can last and encourage more people to get active.

As well as playing volleyball, Zoe also keeps fit by doing Zumba classes and gym workouts. She has also been training for the Virgin Active London Triathlon, which takes place on Saturday.

She will team up with Lydia Bright from TOWIE and Amy Guy, aka 'Siren' from Gladiators, in a relay team where she will take on the 5k run while Amy will swim and Lydia will do the cycling leg.

CASE STUDY: 'Action For Kids has become my family'

Worthwhile: Jolene is supported by Action For Kids

Jolene is in her late 20s and lives in London. She has mild learning difficulties.

She said: 'I don’t think I would be where I am today without the help and support I got from Action for Kids.

'I have been supported by the charity since the age of 15 and they feel like my family. Since leaving school, I have volunteered at Oxfam, Middlesex Hospital and St John's Ambulance.

'This has been an amazing experience as I have been to the theatre, live concerts, big public events and I go away on lovely residential holidays with them every year.

'I also have been involved a local drama group for the past seven years which is inclusive and accessible to people with learning difficulties. The drama group has helped me to increase my confidence and the ability to communicate more with people.

'I think all of this would not have been possible without the help I get from Action for Kids They helped me to move from my family home into supported living accommodation and achieve all my successes in drama and volunteering. In many ways Action for Kids has become my family and way of life.'

For more information on Action For Kids’ fourth annual City Beach Volleyball Championships visit www.actionforkids.org

KATCHING MY I

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Thursday, 20 September 2012