Double bronze inspires Notre Dame student to aim for gold

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Fall 4-5-2012

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Two bronze medal performances at elite-level beach volleyball tournaments in April have inspired Notre Dame student Josh Court to continue striving for gold at the Australian Championships in 2013.

The Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management student says the prospect of playing against some of the world’s best players in upcoming beach volleyball tournaments has encouraged him to train harder during the off-season.

Mr Court, and his beach volleyball partner from Victoria, Cedric Legrand, took their skills and an unrelenting desire to succeed to tournaments in New South Wales and Thailand recently.

These were the first tournaments in which the pair had played together as a team. An impressive performance at the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series at Manly Beach saw the pair collect a bronze medal and also push the Danish Olympic team to an epic three-set match.

The enthusiastic duo again picked up third place at the Samila-Chang 13th Asian Beach Volleyball Tour at Samila Beach, Thailand, on April 16.

After finishing on top of their pool in the tournament and defeating China in the quarter final, Mr Court and Mr Legrand were eliminated by the host nation over three tight sets.

“The standard and international experience of the players was really impressive which pushed Cedric and I to step up to the mark,” Mr Court said.

“As a team we are both very easy going and extremely talented. The improvement of our defensive skills and the addition of some extra strength and fitness training are what we need to win some of the more physically demanding matches.

“The more experience we get playing the world-class teams, the more we can learn and the faster we will progress as a team.”

In what will mark a significant year for the successful 23-year-old, Mr Court will also celebrate his graduation from the University’s Fremantle Campus. Mr Court said he was appreciative of the lecturers and tutors at Notre Dame who supported him through the challenge of balancing university study and professional sporting commitments.

“I strongly encourage both future and current students at Notre Dame to continue to pursue their sporting dreams,” Mr Court said.

“Notre Dame, as part of the Elite Athlete Friendly University network, allows students who have professional sporting commitments to seek assistance with their assessment deadlines, academic timetables and attendance at classes while competing or training for elite competitions.”

For more information about the Elite Athlete Program at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus, please contact David McLean at (08) 9433 0585 or email david.mclean@nd.edu.au.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shelley Robinson: Tel (08) 9433 0610; Mob 0408 959 138 Leigh Dawson: Tel (08) 9433 0569; Mob 0405 441 093

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