Australian U18 Boys build for the future at AVC Asian Championships

Australia’s U18 Boys team has completed its campaign at the 2026 AVC U18 Asian Volleyball Championships in China, returning home with valuable international experience after competing against some of Asia’s strongest volleyball nations.

The squad featured a blend of athletes making their Australian debut alongside several players who represented the national U16 team last year, continuing their development on the international stage.

Head Coach Ben Hardy said the championships were an unforgettable experience, with the unique environment presenting plenty of challenges that helped the athletes learn and adapt throughout the tournament.

“The boys had the opportunity to play and test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia,” Hardy said.

“China stepped in to host the event at late notice and provided excellent competition in Haikou.

“The teams had to adjust to the large venue, the loud atmosphere and some very polished opposition, but those experiences are all part of international volleyball.”

The team’s improvement throughout the championships was one of the biggest positives.

“It was an unforgettable experience and the improvement in our performances throughout the tournament was notable. We have some real talent emerging for Australia.

“Thank you to all the parents, athletes and coaches throughout this journey. It was great to see the Australian volleyball community working together.”

The tournament marks another important milestone in the development of Australia’s next generation of athletes as they continue their journey through Volleyball Australia’s high-performance pathway.