18 Aug 2024
A fortnight of excellence - Paris 2024
Sarah had the privilege of being courtside as one of the members of the sports presentation team at one of the most electrifying venues of the entire event. Reflecting on her experience, she said:
I leant a lot about the sports presentation aspect of major competitions, giving me a new perspective compared with officiating.
“The sports presentation team is responsible for the in-house commentary, DJ, big screens, entrances of the players, officials, and volunteers, and entertainment including dancers, actors, acrobats, a mime, and of course Phryge the mascot.”
“This opportunity meant I was able to meet and work with many different people from France and elsewhere and learn from their experience”.
“A bonus was that my role meant I was lucky enough to be able to watch a lot of beach volleyball up close! I took this opportunity to observe the international referees, and how they handled different situations.”
“Also, the Eiffel Tower stadium was fantastic and beautiful when lit up at night!”
While Sarah soaked up the sun on the beach, Mark, Denise, Clayton Lucus and Kennedy Mason (who plays in Scotland) brought the action to audiences around the globe with their expert commentary.
Denise (pictured here with Mark) shared her excitement leading up to the games, though she was careful not to get ahead of herself. With a background on the Beach Pro Tour, where she travelled the world, she had always hoped to get to the Olympics either as a player or a commentator.
“It’s a dream job,” she said. “As an avid fan for almost 40 years, I would have been watching and shouting at the screen anyway! I’ve lived and breathed the beach game, so being able to analyse and follow it at the pinnacle of the sport—well, it really doesn’t get much better than this.”
“Ahead of Paris 2024, I didn’t want to get too excited until I was actually there, watching the games unfold beneath the Eiffel Tower. But it happened, and I felt incredibly proud to be part of the commentary team.”
Mark Perkins also joined Denise in the commentary box, alongside Clayton Lucas, Kennedy Mason, and Jonathan Legrand. Together, they covered a range of events, from indoor volleyball to the beach competition. Dave Rogers was also one of the lead announcers at the indoor volleyball helping keep fans excited and engaged in some huge matches.
Mark said he felt “like a kid at Christmas every day going into work to see the best of the best compete in their quest for gold.
“It was an absolute privilege that I will not forget” He went on to say. “To be able to add value to this sport and our amazing community means so much to a sport that has given so much to me”
Mark has a short break before heading back out to Paris to call the plays at the sitting volleyball alongside Kendra Hall (who takes part in Volleyball England’s Sitting Grand Prix series).
Mark wanted to thank everyone for the kind words they have shared via social media and personal messages and also wants to extend his thanks to all his co-commentators.
If the Olympic Games in Paris have inspired you to get involved in volleyball, you can find a club near you here.
And don’t forget—the Paralympics are just around the corner! Some of the world's best sitting volleyball players will take to the court in less than two weeks. Find out more about the Paralympics here. Or if you’d like to get involved in sitting volleyball in England you can find out more information here.
