Aussies Abroad #9 – Ethan Garrett
In this installment of the Aussies Abroad Series, Volleyball Australia caught up with Ethan Garrett, who is currently playing in Greece with the Athlos Orestiadas Volleyball Club.
Raised in Sydney, both of Ethan’s parents donned the NSW volleyball jersey during their time and helped him discover his love for the sport ten years ago.
“I grew up in Sydney until I moved to the AIS in 2017 to join the Centre of Excellence,” Garrett said.
“Both my parents played volleyball for New South Wales while they were growing up, and I first started playing volleyball in 2015 with my dad’s social team.
“I joined my first club team with Sydney North Volleyball in 2016, which was also the year I represented NSW at Australian Junior Volleyball Championships, and competed in the Australia U16 School Championships.
“In 2017 I was invited to join the Centre of Excellence at the AIS, and I trained there for two and half years. I was able to represent Australia at the Asian Youth Championships and U23 Championships before I signed my first professional contract in Denmark – since then I have played in Hungary, Saudi Arabia, France and Greece.
“I made my Volleyroos debut in 2021 at the Volleyball Nations League in Italy, and 2025 will be my fifth season with the Volleyroos.”
As a player who has been able to step onto the court in many positions, Ethan’s long-time dream of being an athlete has come true and his experiences overseas have given him lifelong memories.
“I have always wanted to be an athlete ever since I was young,” he said.
“It wasn’t always volleyball but there were so many incredible opportunities that were given to me and now I get to travel the world and experience many new cultures every year.
“My first experience moving overseas was an interesting one – I was playing for Ishoj Volley in Denmark, where he had six guys living in a three bedroom apartment and our team manager built extra rooms in our living room.
“Luckily I had two other Aussies who were playing with me there and we were living there together.
“But, the proudest moment of my career was making my debut for the Volleyroos.
“It was something that I had worked for a while to get too, and my first win against Iran was an amazing moment as well.
“Being an athlete makes me really proud being able to not only represent my country, butto be able to wear my family’s name on the back of my shirt.
“My aspirations for the future are to continue playing at the highest level I can with the Volleyroos and push for a spot at the 2028 Olympics.”
