Oct the 10 Corporate
Reflections on refereeing at Paris 2024
Canada was well-represented at indoor, beach and sitting volleyball
October 10, 2024: It’s well documented that Canada had a stellar Olympic and Paralympic Games – winning history-making medals in beach volleyball and sitting volleyball. And while the attention is deservedly on the athletes and coaches, Canadian referees also made their mark on the sand and court at Paris 2024.
Canadian Scott Dziewirz was assigned to indoor volleyball; Brian Hiebert and Lucie Guillemette to beach volleyball, and Neal Konowalyk (inclugind the men’s gold match) and Marie-Claude Richer (including the women’s gold match) refereed at the Paralympic Games sitting volleyball tournament. Additionally, Guy Bradbury was a referee delegate for volleyball at the Olympic Games and Andre Trottier was a referee delegate for the beach volleyball.
“On behalf of the National Referee Committee, congratulations to the Olympic and Paralympic referees for their outstanding dedication and professionalism in officiating at the highest levels of competition... Your individual accomplishments not only reflect your hard work and commitment but also elevate Volleyball Canada’s reputation on the global stage. Together, you embody the spirit of excellence and sportsmanship that inspires fellow referees and the entire volleyball community.”
What was it like to referee with the world watching?
"The experience has clearly been the highlight of my career," said Scott Dziewirz, an international referee for 20 years who was assigned to indoor volleyball in Paris. “I think besides getting the official email invitation to the Games, one of my favourite memories would have to be walking into the volleyball venue for the first time and seeing the Paris 2024 logo everywhere followed by the feeling of whistling for service on my first match - that's when it became real for me!”
Fellow Canadian referee Brian Hiebert felt excitement at the now iconic beach volleyball venue in Paris: “It was an incredible experience refereeing in front of the Eiffel Tower, especially the night games with the lights and the atmosphere. The 13,000-seat stadium may have been one of the best Olympic sporting venues of all time.”
In addition to his assignments on the sand, Hiebert had great seats for the exciting match between Canada and Brazil in the women's final. He also witnessed historic international moments.
"My final match as first referee was a men's quarterfinal, which ended up being the final Olympic match for six-time Olympian Pablo Herrera of Spain. What an amazing accomplishment,” said Hiebert. “My final assignment was the men's bronze as second referee. Although not the reason I referee, it was an incredible honour to be assigned to such an important match.”
A couple of weeks after the Olympics, the Paralympics were underway featuring sitting volleyball.
Referring in her third Paralympics, Marie-Claude Richer was the first referee in the women’s final.
“To ref a Paralympic final comes with a lot of pressure, but I felt in control and great throughout the match. It's a good experience to remember. When the pressure comes again in a big match, I'll remember that I can deliver,” she explains.
“What impressed me the most about Paris 2024 was the fervor of the crowds. The French people filled the stands to watch the sitting volleyball matches and their chants and shouts carried the teams and officials through all the matches, no matter the country, even the opponents of the French team.”
On a personal level, Marie-Claude explains, “I was very excited to be invited to these Paralympic Games, since it was in France, the country of my ancestors. And these were going to be Games where the French language was going to be put at the forefront. For a referee from Québec, it was really special.”
The Canadian referees were well prepared for the pressure of the world stage.
“Our Referee Coach team, including Canada's Andre Trottier, worked extremely hard over the past four years to provide excellent training, clarity on rules and regulations, and clear expectations for our jobs. We as a group of referees unselfishly supported each other to bring out our best performances,” explained Brian Hiebert.
Whether it was on the sand in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, or the South Paris Arena (indoor) or the North Paris complex (sitting), Paris 2024 brought out the best in all involved.
Scott Dziewirz reflects: “The experience and camaraderie we shared with all the volleyball referees (both indoor and beach) during the Games - it was such a great family and we all learned from each other … there is nothing that comes close to participating in the Olympic Games.”