Olympian shares insight with Torquay College pupils

MORE than 150 Grade 5 Torquay College pupils received a special visit from one of Australia’s best beach volleyballers this week.

Olympian and two-time defending Commonwealth Games gold medallist Christ McHugh shared his experiences as an athlete and the journey he has had travelling the world playing the sport he loves.

Year five student Cleo with Chris McHugh’s Commonwealth Games gold medal.

McHugh, an ambassador for the Olympics Unleashed program, which takes Olympic athletes and aspiring Olympians into Australian schools to inspire and motivate students to chase their dream.

Brought up in the coastal New South Wales community of Pambula, McHugh has enjoyed his time in Torquay, comparing the Surf Coast town as a larger version of where he grew up.

Chris took questions at the end of his presentation.

“For me personally, coming from a small country town, showing that even coming from a place like Torquay, the world is your oyster, is really important,” McHugh said.

“You can get out there and really have an impact in whatever area the kids choose to go down.

“There are so many options for kids in Australia in sport now. Brisbane 2032 is not far away and I am sure that someone sitting in a classroom, somewhere in country Australia, will be representing our country in the 2032 Olympics.

“If I can help inspire a child to get out and give something a go and take it, represent Australia at a sport or just be the best person that they can be, then I have done my job as an athlete and as a representative of volleyball.”

McHugh alongside year five students holding his two Commonwealth Games gold medals and his Olympic bronze medal.

Grade 5 teacher Emma Dukker said to have Chris provide his wisdom to the kids, given his background, was a huge opportunity for the school and the Grade 5 pupils.

“Torquay College is extremely grateful that Chris and Volleyball Australia were able to come out and share inspirational stories with the kids,” Ms Dukker said.

“Volleyball is such a unique sport, it is definitely not mainstream, so opening the kids’ eyes to it is really inspiring for how kids might approach other sports.”

Australian Volleyball Academy athletes took the students through a volleyball clinic following McHugh’s presentation.

Following McHugh’s presentation, eight athletes from the Australian Volleyball Academy took the pupils through a volleyball clinic, showing them some basic skills exercises and volleyball games.

“It would be really cool to see someone from Torquay representing Australia on the World Tour one day,” McHugh said.