A new era for volleyball in Western Australia
Following an application and assessment process under Volleyball WA’s new Club Licensing System, nine clubs have been offered Premier League Licences for 2027. The licensing framework establishes clear standards across areas including player development and care, governance, financial management and facilities, helping to build a strong and sustainable Premier League competition.
Introducing the inaugural 2027 Premier League Clubs
- Apex Volleyball Club
- Balcatta Cats Volleyball Club
- Chequers Volleyball Club
- Fremantle Fury Volleyball Club
- Murdoch University Volleyball Club
- Northern Stars Volleyball Club
- Reds Volleyball Club
- Rossmoyne Raptors Volleyball Club
- Southern Cross Volleyball Club
We congratulate each of the nine clubs on becoming inaugural Premier League licence holders. This is a significant achievement for the clubs and an exciting step forward as we establish a strong, sustainable and aspirational top level of club volleyball in WA.
Premier League will sit at the top of Volleyball WA’s new five-tier Competition Framework, providing the highest level of club competition in the State. The competition will include Men’s and Women’s Premier and Reserve divisions, with licensed clubs required to meet the standards established through the Club Licensing System.
A new Competition Framework for 2027
The announcement of the inaugural Premier League Clubs coincides with the release of Volleyball WA’s NEW 2027 Competition Framework, which introduces a clearer, more connected structure for volleyball participation across Western Australia.
The framework is the result of a comprehensive review of the indoor volleyball system, supported by a whole-of-membership survey and consultation with Club Presidents, operational committee representatives and other stakeholders. The review considered not only individual competitions, but the broader system including participation, pathways, club capacity, workforce, facilities, membership and administration.
From 2027, volleyball opportunities will be structured across five connected tiers: Premier League, State League, Open League, Recreational Volleyball and Event-Based Volleyball. Each has a distinct purpose, creating accessible entry points and clearer opportunities for participants to play, develop and progress within the sport.
The new framework also strengthens the connections between club competition, Youth League, schools, sanctioned club competitions and programs, and athlete development opportunities through the Steel Academy and broader performance pathway.
A simpler membership structure
As part of these changes, Volleyball WA will also introduce a simplified Individual Membership structure from 1 April 2027, aligning membership more closely with the type and level of volleyball in which participants take part.
The 2027 membership year will operate as a nine-month transition period from 1 April to 31 December 2027, before moving to a calendar-year membership cycle from 2028.
Together, these reforms represent an important step in building a volleyball system that is easier to understand, more accessible to participants and sustainable for clubs as the sport continues to grow.
To read more about this new structure, head to www.volleyballwa.com.au/indoor-volleyball/
