Australian Beach Volleyball Teams Selected for U18 and U21 World Championships

Volleyball Australia is pleased to confirm the Australian teams for the upcoming FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Doha, Qatar (7-11 October 2025) and U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Puebla, Mexico (15-19 October 2025).

The U18 World Championships will be held in Doha, Qatar, with Australia selecting four teams to compete at the event.

Queenslanders Ethan Grocott and Thomas Turner will team up in the main draw, while Cooper Ryan (NSW) and Chase Patterson (QLD) will vie for their spot in the qualification tournament.

On the women’s side, Ava Gaborit (SA) and Lydia Amstutz (AUS) will compete in the main draw, with Victorians Ella McDonell and Ruby Longmuir to start in the qualification rounds. Australia will field four teams across both competitions, with Main Draw representation secured for both men’s and women’s divisions.

Puebla, Mexico will host the U21 World Championships with four Australian teams also selected to compete.

Finley Bennett (SA) and Ben Carroll (VIC) will don the green and gold in the men’s main draw, with James Kay (VIC) and Jett Rocker-Graham (NSW) hoping to make their way through the qualification tournament.

Jasmine Rayner (QLD) and Jolie Du Plessis (WA) will start in the women’s main draw, while Rosie Alchin (WA) and Leilani Burnell (SA) will fight for a spot in the main draw through the qualification tournament. 

Volleyball Australia Deputy National Performance Director Paul Smith said he’s excited about the opportunities ahead for the selected athletes and the synergy across all levels of international competition.

“These World Championships represent an incredible opportunity for our young athletes to test themselves against the best beach volleyball players from around the world,” Smith said. 

“What makes this particularly exciting is the synergy we’re creating across all three levels of international competition. 

“With Australia hosting the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide this November, we’ll have representation at U18, U21, and Senior World Championship level within just a few weeks of each other. 

“This demonstrates the strength and depth of Australian beach volleyball from junior through to elite senior level and provides our developing athletes with inspiration as they work towards potentially representing Australia at future senior World Championships and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.”

The teams will be supported by experienced coaching staff including Shanon Zunker (U18 Men), Evgenia Ukolova (U18 Women), Joey Yigit (U21 Men), and Brianna Mears (U21 Women).

Both World Championships represent significant stepping stones in the athletes’ development pathways, showcasing Australia’s commitment to excellence across all levels of beach volleyball competition as we build towards Brisbane 2032.

U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men’s Teams:

• Main Draw: Ethan Grocott (QLD) / Thomas Turner (QLD)
• Qualification Tournament: Cooper Ryan (NSW) / Chase Patterson (QLD)

Women’s Teams:

• Main Draw: Ava Gaborit (SA) / Lydia Amstutz (AUS)
• Qualification Tournament: Ella McDonell (VIC) / Ruby Longmuir (VIC)

U21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men’s Teams:

• Main Draw: Finley Bennett (SA) / Ben Carroll (VIC)
• Qualification Tournament: James Kay (VIC) / Jett Rocker-Graham (NSW)

Women’s Teams:

• Main Draw: Jasmine Rayner (QLD) / Jolie Du Plessis (WA)
• Qualification Tournament: Rosie Alchin (WA)/ Leilani Burnell (SA)