Northlander after elusive Olympic gold in beach volleyball

Kirk Pitman and Australia women's beach volleyball rep Mariafe Artacho Del Solar showing off her silver medal. Photo / Supplied

Kirk Pitman is slowly but surely inching closer to the pinnacle of his coaching career— an Olympic gold medal win in beach volleyball.

The Whangārei-born and bred guided the Australian women's beach volleyball team to silver at the Tokyo Olympics and can't wait for the 2024 global showpiece in Paris with a side he reckons is quite capable of going one better.

While in Tokyo, he bumped into Jason Lochhead, nicknamed Ginger Ninja— a former teammate who also represented New Zealand men's volleyball on the international circuit a record 116 international tournaments and is part of the United States men's beach volleyball coaching team.

It's been a fascinating journey for the 39-year-old Pitman, who took to the volleyball court after being encouraged by his form teacher at Kamo High School.

Growing up, rugby was in the family blood as dad Garry played for Mid Northern while mum was more into swimming and hockey.

"I was a skinny boy who played rugby until my form teacher said come and try volleyball. I got hooked into it at the age of about 16. It's strange because volleyball is not the biggest sport in New Zealand but I found quite challenged."

He went on to represent New Zealand on the global stage a staggering 136 times after moving to Tauranga post-high school studies but missed out on Olympic selection as a player a couple of times.

"It was bittersweet for me and Jason to meet in Tokyo but obviously not wearing the black colours we so wanted to at the Olympics during our playing days," he reminisced.

Kirk Pitman, right, with former New Zealand volleyball team mate Jason Lochhead at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo / Supplied

Pitman met his English wife while playing and grabbed the opportunity to coach the England men's volleyball team to the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018 where they lost to New Zealand in the third/fourth place finish.

He then got asked to head Down Under and take charge of the Australian women's side and since he wanted to be closer to home, he took up the offer.

"We lost to US for gold but I am proud of the effort the girls put in because it's not easy to win a medal at the Olympics. The pressure is immense. A silver medal finish sometimes takes longer to appreciate but the plan is to have another crack at gold in Paris which is only three years away," Pitman said.

Being part of an Olympics campaign in the throes of Covid with empty games' venues had been an experience like no other, he said, but applauded Japan for hosting a successful global sporting event.

"Probably the hardest thing was dealing with the uncertainty. Each day was different and you wonder whether we're in lockdown or not. Plans would change but we'd go with the flow a little bit and not worry too much about the situation."

Pitman had to do quarantine in Australia after the games and plans to visit Whangārei just as soon as he is able to, Covid lockdowns permitting.

"My mum, sisters, and the wider family still live in Whangārei. Dad represented New Zealand in judo at the Oceania champs and his name, together with mine, are on the Kamo High board of honours which is cool."

Deputy principal Darryl Davies in the Kamo High School gymnasium where Kirk Pitman trained as an indoor volleyball player. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Football Fern Hannah Wilkinson, Black Sticks women's rep Stacey Michelsen, and South African triathlete Simone Ackermann were the other former Kamo High School students who competed at the Tokyo Olympics.

Principal Natasha Hemara said while the Olympics was on, it had been great to share with students and others the current Olympians who attended the school.

"We are proud of these positive role models and past pupils, and celebrate their accomplishments and hope that our students gain inspiration from their stories and achievements," she said.