OLYMPIC GAMES BEACH VOLLEYBALL @ HORSE GUARDS PARADE 2012

Brian Stalker tells us about his experience as the Beach Volleyball Service Manager at Horse Guards Parade.

“Wow, that really was the time of our lives” said Brian

1. How did you get involved in being a 2012 GamesMaker?

And it all started with a single phone call from Bob Clarke, who had just been appointed Volleyball Head by LOCOG. He asked me to help recruit the management team for volleyball, beach volleyball and sitting volleyball.

At the time I was busy, having developed the training and recruitment programme for the National Technical Officials (NTOs) for all three disciplines, working with Stewart Dunne and Debra Smart on it’s delivery.

The rest is just history after I applied for and was appointed to the role of Beach Volleyball Services Manager, working out of Canary Wharf in London, starting in January 2011.

2. What was you personal highlight of the Games?

Personal Highlights: the amazing group of Gamesmakers we recruited for HGP, who all went the extra mile and always with a smile.

3. What were the biggest challenges?

Dealing with the London riots in the summer of 2011 that coincided with our test event, having to clear the site and ensure all our volunteers, players and support staff all got home safely, ready for the continuation of the Test Event the following day.

One of my highlights the reception Team GB ladies received for their first match - proud, deafening noise.

One of my lowest moments was seeing one of my oldest International Beach Volleyball Referee friends collapse on the stand at an evening match and waiting, with his wife, at the hospital till he was discharged at 4am.

“Group Leaders, what a team, friends for life“.