‘Jones Sand Volleyball Court’ hosts weekly games to support various causes

WISCASSET, Maine — From a love of volleyball to a legacy of giving back, Julie Jones has turned her backyard into a place where sport and community thrive, one serve at a time.

Julie wears many hats. She’s a daycare provider, a mother, a volleyball coach, and now, the heart behind a thriving community tradition. Tucked away in her Wiscasset backyard is a homemade sand volleyball court—built not for competition, but for connection.

“I don’t really do it for myself,” Julie said. “I love the sport, but I especially love seeing young athletes enjoy learning it and seeing their growth.”

That love for volleyball and for bringing people together is what inspired Julie and her family to create a space where locals—and even those from hours away—can come together to play a few games, chat around a fire, and enjoy each other’s company.

It all started when Julie was pregnant with her first daughter and noticed a gap in local sports offerings. 

“Our school only offered volleyball for girls and basketball for boys,” Julie said. “So after she was born, we were like, okay, what are we going to do to get volleyball rolling here in Wiscasset?”

With a background as a player, coach, and volleyball mom, Julie wanted to show others how fun the sport can be.

On Thursdays, the Jones’ hosts an open court where anyone can pick up a game, growing into something bigger than just a pastime. They’ve become a community event.

“Win or lose, it doesn’t matter,” Julie said. “It’s just about bringing people together and having fun.”

Now, the Jones family hosts fundraising tournaments that, at times, support various organizations throughout the season.

One recent event supported the Side-Out Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to metastatic breast cancer research.

“For Julie, it’s her passion,” Emily Hayes, the Northeast community engagement leader for the Side-Out Foundation, explained. “And you can feel it just seep off of her when you talk to her or are around her.”

Julie’s impact stretches beyond her own efforts, with two of her children now playing college volleyball and another who appreciates the sport, carrying on the family tradition.

“My whole journey with volleyball has been a whole family thing for me,” Julie’s daughter, Alyeea Jones, said. “It’s never been an individualized thing.”

Alyeea smiles when talking about her mom’s endless energy. 

“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Mom, let me give you a break. Just go take a rest.’ But she loves it too much.”

The Jones family also hosts tournaments that don’t support an organization. Instead, the funds are used for court maintenance. 

Currently, the family is raising money to build a second sand court. Proceeds from upcoming events, including one happening this Saturday, will go toward making that dream a reality.

Details about the tournament can be found on the Jones Sand Volleyball Court Facebook page.

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