In the first of our new series of interviews with people across the Volleyball community, we catch up with Aurélien Gimenez, who shares his recent experience officiating on the FIVB World Tour.
Aurélien completed the International Beach Volleyball Referee candidate course last Summer in Baden, Austria. He referees regularly on the VLY. Beach Tour and competes in the National League for Aer Lingus VC.
Q – Tell us about your experience officiating at the FIVB World Tour event in Lille, France last weekend?
First of all I would like to thank the Fédération Française de Volley FFVolley for the invitation, the organization within the Lille Pro Beach event, the referee coach Gil Raillon and Volleyball Ireland for the support.
Being part of this event was just amazing! The organization did a brilliant job by bringing the beach courts to the main square of Lille city, which is about 1h driving from the closest beach. This was a real challenge and they managed it outstandingly, allowing to display 4 days of high-quality Beach Volleyball with teams coming from 6 continents!
Q – What were the main highlights and challenges you experienced throughout the tournament?
The main highlight was to be able to referee high-standard teams such as the men french pair Krou/Gauthier-Rat currently number 12 on the FIVB World ranking and just back from Ostrava’s Elite 16 tournament, along with really experienced international and national referees but also French referees acting as line judges in preparation for Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The main challenge was to keep up the high standard expected from the officials during 4 long days, as there is no real opportunity yet in Ireland to practice on all what is required for such tournament. Hence, this entailed a lot more work, focus and efforts on my side.
Q – Last year, you completed the FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Candidature course, what was involved?
The course involved 3 intense full days of theory on the different rules of the game and video analysis followed by a written exam. We got then the opportunity to officiate during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in Baden for 5 days of competition where we were observed and judged while endorsing all officials roles going from line judges, through scorers and assistant scorers, to 2nd and 1st referee.
Q – How did you get involved in refereeing?
I first started to referee Volleyball to help out my club as there was a lack of referees and I understood there was no quality competition without the presence of officials. Although I love refereeing Volleyball, I found in Beach Volleyball that the spirit of camaraderie, the support to each other and the spectacularity of the sport is next level.
Q – What would you say to any Referees, thinking about getting involved in Beach Volleyball?
I would say that there is a great opportunity to make the structure and the sport evolve in Ireland. I don’t see the quality of Beach Volleyball improving without the implications of the organisation and officials. So if you would like to see this happening, just get involved…
If anyone is interested in becoming a Beach Volleyball Referee please drop Conor a note… cdo@volleyballireland.com
