Hall of Fame - Brian Stalker
Hall of Fame...
Brian Stalker - International Referee, 1988 - 2000! 🏐
What was your greatest volleyball achievement?
"Refereeing the World Schools Final in Antalya, Turkey. Yellow carded the Turkish Captain in the second rally of the match and the crowd whistled for a full 15 minutes, it was deafening".
Do you have a moment in volleyball that you're most proud of?
"Becoming President do Volleyball England and receiving the Peter Wardale Trophy, the highest award Volleyball England can bestow".
What made you pick volleyball right at the beginning?
"Was looking for a different sport to play following stepping away from football and cricket after getting married in 1970. The local volleyball league ran a taster session following the 1972 Munich Olympics. Loved it and the rest is history".
What is your favourite thing about the sport?
"Favourite thing - that’s difficult as there are so many, it’s the team element that develops a family feel, the dynamism of the game, the technical elements, all of which still excite me".
What advice would you give someone who is just starting out in the volleyball world?
"Find a local club and pop along, have a go, study the other players, watch the top level players and referees and aspire. But above all enjoy and smile".
”There’s so much more I could contribute - being a CEV Champions League match supervisor, FIVB Beach Volleyball Technical Delegate, Beach Volleyball Sport Manager at London 2012, writing and presenting the bid to get Beach Volleyball into the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, all of which give me a lot of satisfaction and pride. Volleyball has given me so much and I hope I’ve reciprocated".
Thank-you for your time Brian!