Did you know that Manly athlete Izac Carracher and Mark Nicolaidis have just made history as the first Australian men’s beach volleyball team to qualify for the Olympics since Athens 2004?
Early Years and Career Beginnings
Izac grew up in the Northern Beaches. He started his sporting journey with indoor volleyball but eventually was drawn to beach volleyball due to his love for the surf.
Despite showing promise as a tennis player during his teenage years, Izac gravitated towards volleyball while attending Sydney Grammar School. He played in the Australian Volleyball League with the Sydney Warriors in 2016 and 2017, representing Australia at the U17 and U19 levels.
In 2019, Izac spent a year at the University of Southern California as an outside hitter for the USC Trojans. Upon returning to Australia, he completed his education at the University of Sydney and began competing in beach volleyball alongside Queenslander Marcus Ferguson.
Rise to Prominence
Izac’s career took a significant turn in 2022 when he teamed up with another Queenslander, Mark Nicolaidis. The duo quickly made a name for themselves by winning gold at their first international tournament, the Gold Coast Beach Pro Tour Futures event, with a decisive victory over Canadians Jake MacNeil and Alex Russell.
This success opened doors for them to compete in various international events, including a remarkable ninth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships in Rome.
Izac and Mark’s achievements have taken them around the globe, competing in countries such as France, Italy, the Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the US, and the UAE. Izac, a bachelor of commerce/bachelor of laws student at Sydney University, regards 2022 as a pivotal year in his career.
Olympic Journey
In 2023, Izac and Mark were selected to the Australian Olympic Team for Paris, making history as the first Australian men’s beach volleyball team to qualify for the Olympics since Athens 2004. The pair secured their spot after a dramatic performance at the Asian Continental Cup finals in China, where they came from behind to win crucial matches against Chinese opponents.
The pair will join the Australian Olympic team alongside other beach volleyball athletes, including Olympic silver medallists Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar. The team announcement was made by Australian Olympic Team Deputy Chef de Mission Bronwen Knox in Brisbane, where they are finalising their preparations before heading to Europe.
Community Impact and Future Goals
Izac credits his early volleyball experiences on Manly Beach for his current success. He acknowledges the competitive nature of the Australian domestic tour, which has been instrumental in preparing them for international challenges.
Reflecting on their journey, he emphasised the importance of mental toughness and the ability to perform under pressure.
Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee praised the strong pair for their determination and resilience, highlighting the difficulty of qualifying for the Olympics. He noted that their journey over the past two and a half years culminated in high-stakes matches where they demonstrated true Australian grit.
The beach volleyball competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held from Saturday 27 July to Saturday 10 August at the Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris.
Published 16-July-2024
