|
OTTAWA, Canada, November 16, 2021
-
Gord Perrin is among a small group of Canadian
volleyball players who have played in two
consecutive Olympic Games, the most recent in
Tokyo as captain of the men’s team. It’s the
culmination of a stand-out National Team career
of more than a decade.
Perrin has announced that Tokyo was his final
National Team appearance.
“It was one of my life goals to be an Olympian,”
said Perrin, who joined the team when it was
ranked 24th in the world. "I’m one of the few
players who was there from the beginning of the
climb to get the team where it is today, and it
definitely did not happen by accident. The first
quad was full of small victories that helped us
climb the world rankings to tenth and a
realistic qualification process which was still
long and difficult, so that moment of qualifying
for Rio really felt that all the hard work paid
off." The team finished fifth at the 2016
Olympics.
Perrin was also part of many other key
accomplishments, including seventh at the World
Championships in 2014, a World League bronze
medal in 2017, multiple NORCECA medals and
helping the team qualify for Tokyo 2020. "My
second quad with the team, getting our first
podium on the world stage with a new mix of guys
will always be remembered. I will always have
fond memories of traveling the world and
competing for my country; these guys have become
my family and the relationships will last a
lifetime."
Perrin, from Creston, B.C., began playing as a
teen and spent three years at Thompson Rivers
University, leading them to a bronze medal at
the 2008 CIS Championship, where he was named a
tournament all-star. He was awarded the CANWest
Rookie of the Year his freshman season, was a
two-time All-Canadian, and in 2010 he was TRU’s
Male Athlete of the Year. Perrin joined the pro
club Arkas Spor in Izmir, Turkey in 2011-12,
where they won the Turkish league championship
in 2013 and 2015.
He has played professionally
in Italy, Poland, China, Brazil, and currently
Russia. Highlights from that timeframe include
winning the 2019 CEV Challenge Cup with
Belogorie Belgorod in Russia, and both the 2020
Brazilian Cup and the CSV South American Club
Championship with Sada Cruzeiro in Brazil. He
also finished second at the 2020 FIVB Club World
Championships with Sada Cruzeiro.
“The most important coaches for me will always
be my high school coach Mike Nelson and
university coach Pat Hennelly. These two have
taught me a lot of important life lessons and
without a doubt would not have been able to have
the success I’ve had without their guidance and
forgiveness. The volleyball lessons speak for
themselves on the court but more importantly
helping me mature off the court.”
Perrin also cites his parents, Ruth and Dave, as
great supporters of his pursuits - his father
passed away three years ago. "Losing my father
has put this into perspective for me, and I
think it's time for me to focus more on some
important relationships in my life. How much
sacrifice and expertise it takes to put you
amongst the best in the world. Not only the
stress it takes on your body and mind to compete
everyday to get better but also the toll it
takes on your personal life. I’ve dedicated my
entire adult life to this team and this goal."
His sister, Alicia, also recently retired from
the women’s National Team program.
Perrin, now 32 years old, will continue to play
professionally overseas and will dedicate more
time to his personal life. "I would like to
thank all the coaches and staff that I’ve had
the honour to work with along the way.
"I think Volleyball Canada has a good foundation
of players to continue on and chase down bigger
goals, I will always watch closely and still
feel very invested in the success and evolution
of the team.”
|
