Firepod #26: Welcome to Casa Bello

This week on the podcast we have a very special guest, the one and only Mark Garcia-Kidd. Tune in to find out a little bit more about his life, and the journey that led him to becoming the icon we all know and love. Sam has cooked up yet another quiz to see if we know Mark better than himself: Could this be George's chance to claim his first victory on the pod? Press play to find out.

This week we take a step into casa Bello; welcoming British Champion and Elite 16 gold medal winner Joaquin Bello, alongside hybrid athlete and beach volleyball guru Harry Jones, on to the podcast for their debut in Sam's new quiz! Joined by returners Freddie Bialokoz and Niko Gleed, tune in to see if your volleyball knowledge holds up against these professional players!

This week tune in to hear what Sam and George have been up to, and what the plan for winter is here on the Firepod! Get an exclusive preview of what we'll be releasing for the next few weeks, and what summer 2027 might have in store...

This week on the Firepod we have two very special guests brokering their official partnership for the first time right here with Sam. Thats right, we have a new British Beach volleyball pairing here on the podcast! George and Sam also dive into what it means for them to play the sport and discuss what keeps them coming back year after year, and how their journeys have led them to where they are now.

On this episode of the Firepod, George turns the mic on Sam for his observations and reflections over the year as a coach, and delves deeper into what he looks for in aspiring players in the UK.For this weeks question, we're asking you what are the three most important things to you as a coach? Email us at [email protected] to let us know!

We're back ! Sam and George are back after an extended break over the last few weeks as the academic year has started for George and Sam has been busy with international coaching duty. This week we return with Junior England u22 Player Stuart Perry to reflect over his season and discuss his key takeaways from a year of national and international competition. Furthermore, Sam and George discuss the new world tour format, our plans for winter and more!

This time on the beach we welcome two pillars of the UKBT on their annual reunion at the Cardiff open. JJ and Cole have been seen competing around the UKBT since before George knew what the sport was, and now he takes some time to get to know their past, how they see the game, and more about what volleyball means to them.

This week on the Firepod, we host a player who has competed on the BPT, Commonwealth and Olympic stage, Mel Coutts and her partner from over the pond, Tya Keys! Tune in to find out more about two players which have been pillars of the UKBT this season, and learn more about their experiences over the years.

George takes the lead this week in the rankings after the Fireball elite series final as we review the UKBT and the Rio Elite, and take a glimpse at the Hamburg Elite, giving Sam a chance to redeem himself and catch up. Sam also recounts some more of his time at the commonwealth games, and discusses some of the ideal psychological traits they look for in performance athletes.

George leads in the ranking race as we reflect on the results from Weymouth, but this week we take a look towards the final elite series of the year in Porthcawl, and the Rio de Janeiro elite BPT series and place our predictions for who can make final four. Sam also reflects on his experience as a future coach at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, leading us to the question of the week: what is you knitting?