On Saturday, 19th July, Volleyball WA hosted its first-ever Youth State Team Lead Volley Camp at Kingsway Indoor Stadium. The full-day event brought together athletes aged 11 to 17 who had been selected as part of the VWA Youth State Squad, combining on-court development with off-court education and personal growth.

The camp kicked off with a mini tournament where athletes were grouped into mixed-age teams. The friendly competition also saw a highlight match against a team of coaches, bringing energy and encouraging team bonding across age groups.

Off the court, the young athletes participated in two educational sessions, supported by Healthway.

Our partner, Outside the Locker Room, delivered a powerful session on Resilience, encouraging athletes to explore what brings them joy and how to use those positive elements to face life and sport-related challenges. The session covered how to recognise mental health challenges in oneself and others, the importance of supportive conversations, and practical tools like gratitude, understanding personal strengths, and maintaining clear routines.

Meanwhile, Nutrition Works guided the athletes through a comprehensive session on fuelling for performance. Covering everyday nutrition, pre-training and game-day fuelling, recovery strategies, hydration, and energy-boosting tips, the session equipped participants with essential knowledge for both sports and life. Athletes also enjoyed nutritious snacks, including fresh fruit provided by Healthway and healthy options from Nutrition Works’ recommended list.

While one group attended the education sessions, the other was on the court refining their volleyball skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. Each athlete rotated through two court sessions and two education blocks, ensuring a balanced and engaging day of learning and development.

The success of the inaugural Lead Volley Camp sets a strong foundation for future Youth State Team initiatives, reinforcing VWA’s commitment to building not just skilled athletes, but resilient and well-rounded young people.