Following the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, the exciting, fast-paced sport of sitting volleyball struggled to maintain momentum throughout Australia. This all changed last year, when Volleyball Australia announced the return of the Australian Sitting Volleyball Championships, held in September 2024 for the first time in almost two decades.

Here in WA, the resurgence of sitting volleyball, through our Adaptive Volley program, supported by the DLGSC, has seen more than 50 individuals, some with and some without a disability, involved in our newly established Perth Social Sitting Volleyball League. With one eye on upcoming international sitting volleyball events, including the LA 2028 Paralympics, Brisbane 2032 Paralympics, and various Invictus Games, Volleyball WA are excited to launch our Sitting Volleyball Athlete Development program!

This 4-week training block, separate to our sitting volleyball Participation initiatives, will provide an opportunity for para-athletes and veterans to develop their skills, fitness, and knowledge, to better equip Western Australians when competing nationally and internationally. We are very fortunate that the program will be led by highly qualified and respected coaches, Sean Andrews and Brad Barclay!

Sean Andrews, who becomes WA’s first sitting volleyball Pathways head coach, has 20 years of coaching experience at various levels. In recent times, Sean has coached Southern Cross Volleyball Club and is currently State League Assistant Coach and State League Reserve Head Coach at Balcatta Volleyball Club. His extensive involvement in various state teams includes bronze medal performances for our Under 16 Boys in 2023, as well as our Under 19 Men in 2024. “I’m excited to be part of the revival of sitting volleyball in Western Australia and across the country. As we build towards the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, I’m committed to maximising the opportunities this platform provides to elevate Australian Sitting Volleyball on the world stage and ensure its lasting impact well beyond 2032.”

Brad Barclay has represented Australia in beach para-volleyball and sitting volleyball. Whilst he will be primarily involved in the Athlete Development program as a player, his firsthand experience playing sitting volleyball will be incredibly beneficial to the group. In addition to being one of two people in Australia with a Level 2 World ParaVolley Coach Accreditation, Brad’s 6 years of coaching experience has spanned across WAVL, State Country Championships, and local teams at Bunbury Volleyball Association.

We thank the Perth Reds Volleyball Association for supporting this 4-week program. If you are interested in being involved in sitting volleyball, please email inclusion@volleyballwa.com.au.