World Chase Tag ESPN

I participated as a sports presenter in ESPN’s broadcast of World Chase Tag (WCT), the first and only global league for competitive tag. I interviewed elite parkour athletes as they were exiting the quad (the enclosed obstacle arena within which they compete). With each match being an extremely fast, high-stakes chase, I had to pay very close attention to understand and interpret what I was seeing, and then, with camera crew in tow, run in to a particular athlete and translate what I’d just seen on the quad into a rigorous, highly technically proficient – but still funny, upbeat and energetic! – interview. (Only seconds away from the next chase!)

My involvement in the tournament tested and proved my mettle as a presenter in a fast-paced environment – and my ability to learn in depth, fast – perhaps more than any other job I’ve ever done! For that, it makes it one of my favourites. From hiring to filming was a matter of days, during which time I received a large binder of athlete headshots and names to learn. The day before filming began, I headed to practice to watch the teams, learn their rivalries, learn the rules of the game, and pick up technical terms and slang for different parkour moves in order to interview each athlete with the kind of snappy familiarity that ensures a live shooting schedule runs with maximum efficiency, and that a committed fan base knows you’re speaking with them in mind, too.

Many of the athletes and crew I met remain my friends today.