Credit: volleyball.org.au
Australia’s next generation of volleyball talent came together in Perth last month for the 2025 National Development Camp, held at Loftus Recreation Centre and Kingsway Sports Centre from 27-29 September.
The camp followed the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships, providing more than 150 young athletes from across the country with the opportunity to learn, train, and compete under the guidance of some of Australia’s top coaches and national program staff.
Across three days, athletes born between 2008 and 2013 took part in high-performance indoor and beach volleyball sessions designed to enhance their technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical preparation.
Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Volleyball Team Dan Ilott, said it was an invaluable opportunity to connect with emerging players.
“It was fantastic to be in Perth for the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships and the National Development Program camp,” Ilott said.
“Alongside Russell Borgeaud, Head Coach of the Women’s National Team, we had the opportunity to observe and work with some of the most promising young athletes in the country. These events are critical for identifying future talent for our Volleyroos 2032 program.
“Over 150 boys and girls participated in the camp, which ran for three days following the championships and it was a privilege to guide these athletes through high-performance training and development activities, both on the indoor and beach courts.
“Special thanks to Dean Bielanowski for leading the beach volleyball sessions, and to Volleyball WA and the WA coaching community for their outstanding support.”
“Our attendance at this event was made possible through the generous support of the FIVB Empowerment Program, which continues to play a vital role in strengthening both our Men’s and Women’s Volleyroos programs.
“This funding enables us to be present at key development events like this, ensuring we can connect with emerging talent and support their journey to the highest level.”
Paul Smith, Volleyball Australia’s Deputy National Performance Director, said the Perth camp was a key step in expanding the reach of the National Development Program.
“This NDP camp in Perth was a fantastic opportunity to connect with athletes and coaches from around the country, primarily from Western Australia and a significant cohort from the Northern Territory,” Smith said.
“By extending our NDP camp program into the states, we’re identifying emerging talent, building stronger coaching networks, and reaching more athletes than only a centralised camps approach allows.”
Beyond athlete development, the camp also focused on coach education and collaboration, creating an environment where local coaches could learn directly from national team staff and share best practices across the community.
“The energy, commitment, and potential we saw throughout the week were truly inspiring,” Smith said.
“We’re excited about the future of volleyball in Australia and the pathway these young athletes are forging toward 2032 and beyond.”
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