The Firepod

Firepod#27: Mark Garcia-Kidd Special!

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.

Firepod #26: Welcome to Casa Bello

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!

Firepod#25: Winter preview

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...

Firepod#24: Mystery Guests, Motivation and.. Catan?

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.

Firepod#23: Hotseat for Sam!

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 Firepod@fireballbeachvolleyball.com to let us know!

Firepod#22: We're back! Ft. Stuart Perry

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!

Strangers on a Beach ft: JJ van den Bogert and Cole Durant

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.

Strangers on a Beach Ft. Mel Coutts and Tya Keys

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.

Firepod#19: How Agreeable are You?

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.

Firepod #18: What is Your Knitting?

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?

Britains Biggest National Tour Event?

This week George and Sam discuss the mammoth of UK beach volleyball, the Weymouth Grand slam, the tournament everybody wants to win, and hedge their bets in their new draft system on who they think will come out on top in addition to taking a peek at international teams competing. With an updated draft system for our top 4 predictions, theres plenty of room for success this weekend!

Firepod#16: Jumbo July

This week George and Sam take on the gargantuan task of recapping the last six weeks, full of National tour, BPT and junior national events like no other time in the year. Listen in to find out our thoughts on the events over the last few weeks, and hear Sam's perspective as an on sight coach from both the Bridlington Future and NEVZA events!

Strangers on a Beach: ft Seain Cook

This week George is joined by AVP and Scottish National Team player Seain Cook! Tune in to learn about how Seain manages his relationship with volleyball and his life around a career of competing! ***Content Warning *** This episode contains use of explicit language

Firepod#14: Bridlington Preview and June Recap

This week Sam and George take a look at the events in Bridlington and recap the major events of the last few weeks. Join us as we look at the entry lists for the next two weeks in Bridlington and discuss how some of the teams are bringing some serious momentum off the back of the UKBT.

Firepod#13: Strangers on a Beach ft. Lorena Tussis and Gerda Berštautaitė

This week on the Firepod George is joined by Lorena and Gerda for another episode of Strangers on a Beach! find out more about their story, and how they manage challenges on and off the court.

Firepod#12: International Recap and Croyde Preview

This week George takes a quick look at the international events which have taken place this week, and previews the Croyde entry list ahead of the event this weekend.

Firepod#11: Strangers on a Beach ft. Katie Keefe

This week we have an exclusive episode of strangers on the beach featuring English international athlete Katie Keefe ! Tune in to find out more about what it's like to compete on both the NCAA, UKBT and BPT all in one season and more.

Firepod #10: Cardiff Predictions and International Review

This week George and Sam take a look at what our national teams are up to, with both our the English Men's and Women's teams competing across Europe and Asia. George and Sam continue their ranking predictions ahead of the Ostrava Elite and the Cardiff Open.

Firepod#9: May Overview

This week George and Sam discuss the results from Northern Ireland, examine the international stage and take a look at what the English national senior teams are up to, as well as a quick peak at the Cardiff open main draw.

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Firepod#8: Northern Ireland Discussion and Brasillia Reflections

This week George and Sam look ahead to the Northern Ireland Elite and discuss the entry list for the event, looking at who their favourites and ones to watch could be over the weekend.