Australian Volleyball Academy cohort announced for 2025
Thirty-six athletes from six states and territories have been selected for the Australian Volleyball Academy’s intake for 2025.
Next year’s cohort sees more than 20 new faces heading to Canberra to take part in the development program for beach and indoor volleyball, hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
The AVA is a key component of Volleyball Australia’s National Development Program, presenting athletes with the opportunity to learn and develop in a sport-specific training environment as they look to take the next step in their careers.
“We are excited to announce the 2025 AVA athlete cohort, representing the future of Australian volleyball,” said Paul Smith, National Performance Pathways Manager and AVA Program Director.
“This talented group has demonstrated exceptional commitment, skill and potential.
“Many of these athletes have the ability to become key contenders for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, and we are eager to support their development on the pathway to international success.”
The Academy has a proven track record of preparing athletes for the next step with a number of recent graduates already making their mark in senior international competition.
Women’s Volleyroos Captain Mikaela Stevens (2022) is one of nearly 50 athletes who have come through the AVA to pull on the national colours for the Women’s and Men’s Volleyroos while 2023 Pacific Games Games gold medallists Ben Hood (2021) and Jana Milutinovic (2021) are amongst a host of athletes making their mark on the sand.
“We’re extremely proud of all the players who have come through the AVA in recent years and gone on to excel on the national or international stage,” said Smith. “It’s proof that we’re providing an environment for the most dedicated athletes to continue their progression and open up opportunities for them.
“That in itself becomes an incentive for the incoming cohort who see what rewards may await them if they’re willing to learn and grow both on the court and off of it.”
Volleyball Australia congratulates the following athletes and welcomes them to the 2025 Australian Volleyball Academy.
| WOMEN | MEN |
| Rosie Alchin* (WA) Kayla Cantrill (QLD) Genevieve D’Arcy (QLD) Chelsea Durbridge (SA) Milla Greber* (QLD) Charlotte Hansen* (QLD) Lana Hollway (SA) Rachel Kilchenmann (WA) Tessa Kilchenmann (WA) Rachel Linskey* (QLD) Gemma McNamara (VIC) Isabella Simurina (NSW) Lilyana Stanojevic* (QLD) Anni Tang* (NSW) Mali Towers (NSW) Giselle Tronc* (QLD) Georgina Vanloo (SA) | Hayden Baker (WA) Levi Beard* (ACT) Liam Boyce* (NSW) Arnav Gupta* (NSW) Josh Hodder (VIC) Ashton Home* (VIC) Bodhi Ikin* (QLD) Benjamin Larsen (QLD) Flynn Leslie* (VIC) Joel McGruther* (QLD) Thomas McKinney (QLD) Jaxon Neill* (WA) Dan Moisescu (ACT) Jack Renner (QLD) Luka Sazdov* (QLD) Harvey Schutte* (QLD) Cooper Sharpe* (QLD) Lukas Tyalana* (QLD) Zachary Upton* (QLD) |
| * denotes new AVA athlete | |
