Information and photos courtesy of volleyball.org.au
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chris McHugh retires from international scene – Volleyball Australia
Tokyo 2020 Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games champion Chris McHugh has announced that he will be retiring from international volleyball but he will not be lost to the sport.
The 35-year-old made the announcement ahead of this weekend’s Pelligra SA Open where he will team up with 18-year-old Developing Volleyroo and fellow South Australian Finley Bennett at his home beach, Glenelg.
McHugh made history in 2018 by winning gold in the first-ever beach volleyball competition at the Commonwealth Games, together with Damien Schumann.
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In 2021, McHugh continued to pave his legacy, when he and Schumann became the first Australian men’s team to qualify for the Olympic Games since Beijing 2008.
In 2022, McHugh teamed up with Commonwealth Games debutant Paul Burnett to win a second consecutive gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher paid tribute to McHugh, describing him as a tremendous servant of the game.
“Chris McHugh’s record places him in the top echelon of beach volleyballers Australia has ever produced,” he said. “It takes passion, drive, endurance, talent and an incredible amount of hard work to stay at the top for as long as he has.
“Being an Olympian and becoming a back-to-back Commonwealth champion places you in a very special club in Australian sport and Chris should be incredibly proud of an outstanding career.
“On behalf of the entire volleyball community I thank Chris for all wonderful moments he has given us over the years, congratulate him in an incredible career, wish him and his young family all the best in the next chapter of life and hope to see him around the scene well into the future.”
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Since making his professional beach volleyball debut in 2006, McHugh has played over 600 matches on the international circuit, is a five-time Asian Beach Volleyball champion, seven-time Australian champion, two-time World tour gold medalist and 10-time Asian Beach Volleyball Tour champion.
“I have had a really great career with the national team, since 2007, so I have had some really amazing experiences representing Australia in beach volleyball, but it’s time to move onto something else in my life and spend more time with my family (wife Denai and kids Jack and Rachel),” McHugh said upon reflection of his career.
“I walked into the South Australian Institute of Sport as a 15-year-old in 2005 and then spent two years in their program before moving into the Australian Institute of Sport program in 2007.
“I started there as a pretty awkward 17-year-old and now I’m walking out as a 35-year-old after having so many amazing experiences on and off the court, play at two Commonwealth Games, an Olympic Games, and six World Championships.
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“I count myself extremely lucky to have had such a long career, and I am thankful for the support Volleyball Australia and SASI has given me, and for what the Australian volleyball community has given me.
“I also wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of my wife and our families. Denai has been my rock throughout the last 13 years, supporting me through everything and keeping our family together at home during sustained periods away. Without her understanding and sacrifices she has made, I wouldn’t have achieved half of what I have over the years and for that I am always thankful.”
Through his experience overcoming setbacks, disappointments and forming new playing partnerships, Chris has learnt an immense amount about himself.
“I look at my career and I do what I do because I love the competition, camaraderie and challenges that are unique to our great sport,” McHugh said.
“I have gotten so much out of my career and, not purely from a volleyball sense but personal sense, I’ve grown so much as a person. I have been really able to test my limits, grow in areas and the journey with so many quality people has made it all worthwhile.
“The relationships I’ve been able to form with coaches, support staff and most of all the guys I’ve been able to play with over the years, that’s the reason that you play the sport and it’s really been great to reconnect with some of the guys and share those really good memories,” he said.
McHugh said that although he’s not sure what’s next, he’s looking forward to giving back to his sport and his family.
“Now it’s my turn to give back to my family, back to my kids, and the volleyball community in general,” McHugh said.
“Push into the next space whatever that is moving forward. I’ve got no idea what that space will be, but I know it’s going to be great to be home more,” he said.
Volleyball Australia National Performance Director Craig Marshall thanked McHugh for everything he has done for and given to Volleyball in Australia during his career.
“On behalf of Volleyball Australia, I’d like to congratulate Chris on what has been a long and legacy driven career,” Marshall said.
“Chris has been an integral part of our men’s beach volleyball program for close to two decades, and the success he has enjoyed on the international stage is a credit to the years of hard work put in behind the scenes.
“I am thankful that Chris chose our great sport of volleyball all those years ago, and I know he will continue to play an important role for many years to come,” he said.
Fans can continue see McHugh in action this weekend at the Pelligra SA Open at Glenelg. Qualifying takes place from Friday before pool matches commence Saturday at 7:30am ACDT. Super Sunday will decide the champions with the final matches expected to start at 3.30pm.
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