Welcome to another episode of the Sporting Change Podcast!
Today’s guest is Canadian beach volleyball player Sophie Bukovec, who became the first ever full time beach volleyball athlete in Canada. She first broke onto the scene in 2014, winning gold at the U21 World Championships—making history as the first Canadian woman to do so—alongside Tiadora Miric. Since then, she’s climbed the ranks of the international beach volleyball world, partnering with some of the sport’s biggest Canadian names and competing on stages around the globe.
Most recently, Sophie teamed up with Olympic veteran Heather Bansley. Less than a year after their first match together, they won the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier in 2024, punching their ticket to the Paris Olympics. Along the way, the pair also earned podium finishes in Brazil and Mexico, showing just how quickly they clicked on court. Before that, Sophie had a standout season with Brandie Wilkerson, taking silver at the 2022 World Championships in only their fifth tournament together.
Her journey began in indoor volleyball at McMaster University, but it was in beach volleyball where Sophie found her stride. After transferring to Long Beach State, she eventually landed at the University of Southern California, where she helped USC win back-to-back NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships in 2016 and 2017, serving as team captain and earning All-American honours.
Off the court, Sophie is a self proclaimed foodie and cat lover! She also loves to give back to her volleyball community… She’s the founder and executive director of The Northern Elite, a volleyball academy where she coaches and mentors young athletes.
On today’s episode, we’re catching up with Sophie to find out what life’s been like since the 2024 Paris Olympics—what she’s been up to, what she’s learned, and how her path from university courts to the national stage has shaped who she is today. We hope you enjoy the show!
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Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast!
Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s Ride out Intimidation program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world.
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