AFTER six years of globe-trotting, beach volleyball star Jody Gooding has his sights set on just one destination – Horse Guards Parade in London.

A temporary court will be installed at the Parade for next year's Olympics, and Gloucester-born Gooding, 31, and his playing partner Gregg Weaver find themselves in a two-horse race to represent the host nation at the iconic setting.

"Our plan has been geared towards the 2012 Olympics since we went full-time six years ago, and we've travelled around the world in support of that," Gooding said.

"Gregg and I have made gradual progress up the rankings and we now find ourselves in what looks like a straight fight between two British teams for one spot.

"At the moment we're on exactly the same number of points, so it is going to be close.

"From now until 2012 we just have to knuckle down and hope we're lucky enough to get the wildcard that's given to the host nation.

"In my opinion, the sport is going to be the most marketable at the Olympics, given it is completely unique and is going to take place in the historic venue on Horse Guards Parade, and that only adds to my desire to make it."

Gooding was born and raised in the county and represented Cheltenham District at football as a youngster before moving into beach volleyball – after a stopover in its indoor counterpart.

"I started playing indoors and loved the dynamism of the sport, and then I was picked for England Under-15s, Under-17s and for the senior team at 18," Gooding explained.

"But I didn't think Great Britain were going to get to the Olympics in the indoors, and that's something I've wanted to achieve ever since I watched Daley Thompson when I was a couple of years old.

"So I moved over to beach volleyball and partnered up with Gregg, and after a brief break we've been playing together since 2006.

"We're based in Los Angeles for the most part, and it's intense, five or six hours a day for six days a week.

"When we trained at the Institute of Sport in Bath we were doing as much or more hours than every other Olympic sport."

However, after funding was dramatically cut at the end of 2008, the vast amounts of travelling involved in the sport have made continuing to compete in beach volleyball's World Tour a considerable challenge.

"We take part in events in Russia, Brazil, the USA – there's a lot of distance involved," Gooding said.

"The GB volleyball program lost about £2m worth of funding which has had a huge impact and meant it's often been tough for us to get by.

"And if anyone is interested in sponsoring us, whether big or small, then it could be vital in the final push towards the Olympics."

Gooding can be contacted via his website jodygooding.com or on his twitter account at @GBRBeachVolley1.