Credit: volleyball.org.au
The Australian Men’s Volleyroos team to contest the AVC Challenge Cup in Chinese Taipei in July has been announced.
The 14-man squad will be led by 250-game captain Luke Perry and includes Queensland outside hitter Matthew Kemp who is set to make his first senior appearance in the national colours.
Perry said the team’s recent camp including a public exhibition match at the Australian Institute of Sport last week had the team primed for the campaign.
“We’re going there to win the tournament,” said Perry. “From there we’ll assess new goals internally. There’s an opportunity for development at the same time. We’re all there to grow, we’re all there to win.
“Preparation has been really good. It was nice to have a green/gold match and play in front of a crowd. We’ll have a decent hit out in Thailand in some hot weather, get the last little parts in place and be good to go.”
The Challenge Cup was formerly a bi-annual tournament, however is now held every year as the tournament serves as a qualifier for the FIVB Challenger.
Australia head into the tournament as the second ranked team, only behind Korea, and have high hopes of putting in a strong performance to keep their ranking headed in the right direction.
“Under the current world ranking system for indoor volleyball, every opportunity to earn world ranking points is critical to the success of the program moving forward,” said head coach Dave Preston. “The goal is to be in the 2025 FIVB World Championships which has recently been announced as a 32-team event.”
Victory would not only see the Volleyroos qualify for the 2023 FIVB Challenger Cup in late July in Qatar, but would also open up the opportunity to requalify for the 2024 Volleyball Nations League.
Australia contested the first four versions of the VNL and are now fighting their way back to the prestigious tournament having been relegated in 2022.
Preston said the return of Volleyroos performing strongly overseas was having a positive influence on the squad, exhibiting a standard of excellence on and off the court which will drive the team into the future.
“We are very proud of all the Volleyroos and the more experience they have overseas directly impacts the daily training environment when we are together,” said Preston. “It’s great to see so many Australian indoor volleyball athletes being recognised around the world for their success and we hope this number continues to grow as we prepare for Brisbane 2032.”
The 2023 AVC Challenge Cup takes place in Chinese Taipei from 8 to 15 July with Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee excited by the team’s prospects going into the tournament.
“Under the outstanding leadership of coach Dave Preston and captain Luke Perry, the new look Volleyroos – blending experience and youth – are ready to take on the best in Asia.”
Australian Men’s Volleyroos Team
AVC Challenger in Chinese Taipei from July 8 to 15 July, 2023
2. Arshdeep Dosanjh (NSW) S
4. Jackson Holland (SA) L
7. James Weir (ACT) MB
8. Trent O’Dea (VIC) MB
11. Luke Perry (c) (WA) L
12. Nehemiah Mote (NSW) MB
14. Hamish Hazelden (WA) OPP
19. Will D’Arcy (QLD) OH
21. Nicholas Butler (WA) S
29. Ethan Garrett (NSW) OH
31. Matthew Aubrey (QLD) OPP
33. Sam Flowerday (QLD) OH
35. Matthew Kemp (QLD) OH
37. Jacob Baird (QLD) MB
Head Coach – Dave Preston (CAN)
Team Manager/S&C Coach – James Begley (NSW)
Physiotherapist – Declan Gillian (ACT)
Assistant Coach – Brendan Garlick (QLD)
Assistant Coach/Statistician – Damian Musiak (POL)
Statistician – Hugh Nguyen (ACT)
Accompanying Referee – Toan Phong Nguyen (ACT)
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