Kerri Pottharst is without question, one of Australia’s most popular sporting personalties. Kerri was awarded the International Beach Volleyball Player of the Decade 1990 – 2000 and is also Australia’s most decorated Indoor and Beach Volleyball player, having represented her country for the last 18 years.
As an Olympian, Kerri has won a BRONZE MEDAL in Atlanta, and now adds to that, her coveted GOLD MEDAL from the Sydney Olympic Games.
Kerri began her career as an Indoor Volleyball player, being accepted into the professional Italian League in 1990. With a serious knee injury in 1992, Kerri was forced to reconsider her career choice and moved to the glamorous sport of Beach Volleyball. She has never looked back. Success was immediate. In 1994 she became part of the No. 1 team in Australia, a ranking she has maintained since then.
Winning a BRONZE MEDAL in the 1996 Olympics, with partner Natalie Cook, seemed to be her career highlight … but she kept seeking more. After a time apart, in which Kerri retained her No.1 ranking with another partner, she reunited with Natalie to make their dreams come true by winning OLYMPIC GOLD in Sydney.
Summa Strawberry was very excited when she was told she was on an assignment to interview Kerri as she had never met such an incredible (and tall) athlete before.
This is what they talked about when they caught up:
Summa
Strawberry:
Hi Kerri, it’s absolutely fantastic to finally
meet you in person. I’ve seen you on TV quite a bit playing beach volleyball
and it looks very energetic. I imagine without team work, your job would be
a lot harder.
Kerri Pottharst:
Hi Summa it’s great to meet you too. Yes,
you’re right, team work is extremely important in Beach Volleyball.
There are only two of us out there on the sand, and we rely heavily on our
communication. I need to always know when my partner is feeling good or bad.
I need to know where she is on the court at all times, so I can make sure
I cover the other side. If one of us is in trouble, if we’ve lost our
concentration or we’re just feeling tired, it’s important for the
other one to help pick up the "slack."
Summa
Strawberry:
Wow, winning an Olympic Gold Medal, in front of all
of your friends at Bondi Beach must have been incredible. I imagine it wasn’t
very easy. Which teams have been your toughest opponents?
Kerri Pottharst:
Our toughest opponents have been Brazil and the
USA. But, now there are more and more countries, especially from Europe, that
are getting better each year.
Summa
Strawberry:
It sounds like a very popular sport, particularly with
so much sun and sand. Kerri can you please tell me about your worst injury?
Kerri Pottharst:
In 1992 I landed awkwardly on my right leg after
jumping for a spike and tore ligaments in my knee. This stopped me from playing
Indoor Volleyball for a year, but then I took up Beach Volleyball.
I firmly believe
that every hurdle or problem in life can be turned around and made into a
positive. You’ve just got to look for the opportunities and stay feeling
positive!
Summa
Strawberry:
I think you’re right about that, after all, you
were awarded the International Beach Volleyball Player of the Decade 1990
– 2000. Apart from this amazing award, what has been your biggest achievement?
Kerri Pottharst:
Definitely winning an Olympic Gold Medal in the
Sydney 2000 Games.
Summa
Strawberry:
It doesn’t get much better than that does it!
With all of these awards, medals and trophies I bet you’ve got a huge
trophy room! Have you ever had a losing streak?
Kerri Pottharst:
Not for too long. But, we’ve certainly lost
plenty of games over the last few years. After getting over the initial pain
of losing, you then have to sit back and take away any lessons that you may
have learnt. That way, you wont do the same next time and hopefully you’ll
win!!
Summa
Strawberry:
Well you have certainly won a lot of important games
as well. I imagine a healthy lifestyle and diet help you with your sport.
Can you please tell me which are your favourite fruits?
Kerri Pottharst:
I love bananas, mangos and kiwis. All together
or on their own!
Summa
Strawberry:
Along with strawberries of course, they are some of
my favourites as well. What about your favourite vegetables?
Kerri Pottharst:
I always grab a carrot to munch on if I’m
hungry and in a hurry. I also luurrve mashed potatoes.
Summa
Strawberry:
Sounds yummy, carrots are great snack foods aren’t
they! Can you tell me what your favourite food in general is?
Kerri Pottharst:
I’ll eat anything!! As long as it’s
good for me.
Summa
Strawberry:
Sounds very healthy, no wonder you’ve done so
well! Kerri, you certainly seem to realise that eating more healthily helps
keep your energy levels up. If you hadn’t turned out to be such an outstanding
athlete what do you think you would have chosen to do as a career?
Kerri Pottharst:
I was always good at art in school, so maybe I
could have been an artist? I also like teaching people, so I’m sure I
could have also been a teacher.
Summa
Strawberry:
They sound like great jobs. You probably don’t
have much time, but what do you like to do in your spare time?
Kerri Pottharst:
I go to the movies, I love shopping and hanging
out with my friends.
Summa
Strawberry:
Sounds like you don’t stop. Who is your hero?
Kerri Pottharst:
Michael Jordan and my boyfriend, Victor, who is
the National Men’s Beach Volleyball Champ.
Summa
Strawberry:
They are great hero’s, both huge achievers in
their sports. Do you have any nicknames?
Kerri Pottharst:
Some people call me "Kez" or "Potsy".
Summa
Strawberry:
Lucky it’s not "Potty"! What do you
think is the best thing about playing sport?
Kerri Pottharst:
Travelling the world, meeting people and not having
to sit in an office from 9 – 5 everyday.
Summa
Strawberry:
Wow, what a fantastic job. What is your favourite motto?
Kerri Pottharst:
"Go hard or go home!!"
Summa
Strawberry:
That’s a great motto. Kerri, thanks so much for
spending time with us today and on behalf of the "F & V Gang"
I would like to wish you the best of luck with beach volleyball and everything
else in the future.
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