2024 Affiliate Awards

Volleyball Victoria presented the winners of the 2024 Annual Affiliate Awards during the President's Lunch, held in the Champions Room at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Albert Park, on Sunday 4th May 2025.

Nominations were accepted from the volleyball community and assessed by the Volleyball Victoria Awards and Recognition Committee, with the following winners recommended for each category and endorsed by the Board of Volleyball Victoria.

Most Outstanding Teacher Award

Volleyball Victoria congratulate Rebecca Sandlant from Wyndham Central College for her contribution to volleyball in the school environment.  As a teacher and conduit to the diverse student population, she has embraced volleyball and demonstrated innovation to facilitate access and to develop a strong passion for volleyball.

Volleyball has become an integral part of the Wyndham Central College’s culture and identity.

Key achievements include;

• The ongoing delivery of the afterschool volleyball program at no cost to participants – participants have benefited from structured coaching and skill development.
• Successfully accessed funding to establish 3 additional outdoor volleyball courts at the school, for students to enjoy – this now makes a total of 4 courts, all of which are in constant use.
• Introducing volleyball into the Year 9 and Year 10 curriculum, mentoring teachers, and reviewed and refined lesson structures to encourage successful delivery of this new initiative.
• Building capacity in the local community and embedding learnings through real life opportunities via collaborations with Volleyball Victoria school events.
• Partnering community organisation, such as Reclink to implement community-based programs beyond school hours.

This award recognises Rebecca for embedding a comprehensive volleyball program where students can engage with volleyball in multiple ways.

Rebecca Sandlant		The Grange P-12 College

Most Outstanding School Award

The Grange P-12 College, through their dedicated Sports Science Academy has excelled in engaging their student demographic in sport through volleyball. 

After joining Volleyball Victoria events in 2022, their participation in Volleyball Victoria events has grown significantly, with 19 teams in 2024 participating in our one day or Schools Cup events. 

In 2024, The Grange won:

• 1^st - Year 12 Boys Division 1 – Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup
• 1^st - Year 10 Boys Division 1 – Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup
• 1^st - Year 9 Girls Division 2 – Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup
• 2^nd – Year 11 Boys Division 1 – Volleyball Victoria Junior Open

The Grange was the Champion Overall School at the 2024 One Day Series East, and placed 2^nd in the Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup Spirit of the Cup.

On top of these outstanding results in Volleyball Victoria events, The Grange went undefeated, winning Gold at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup in the Year 11 Boys Division 1 in Queensland late last year.

Located in Hoppers Crossing, and led by teacher, Trish O’Neill, The Grange has had outstanding results in engaging with students through social media, via documenting their volleyball exploits thus creating an outstanding culture around the program, one where students have demonstrable pride participating in VV events for their school.

Congratulation’s The Grange.

Most Outstanding Junior Program Award

Volley Friends United Melbourne (VFUM) Junior program prides itself on its inclusive, community-driven approach. It is not just about creating great athletes—it’s about building confidence, connection, and character in young people.

Every participant is welcomed, supported, and inspired. VFUM’s Juniors Program reflects the club’s core values of accessibility, excellence, and passion, and continues to play a vital role in expanding volleyball.

Running since 2022, Volley Friends United Melbourne’s (VFUM) Juniors Program has become a leading force in nurturing young volleyball talent—particularly in the diverse and often underrepresented communities of the western suburbs.

In just two years, VFUM has trained over 150 U18 athletes, many of whom have progressed into the club’s Victorian Volleyball League (VVL) teams and have proudly earned places in the Victorian State Volleyball Program.

By offering clear pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition the club demonstrates a robust commitment to long-term junior development and enjoyment in the sport.  VFUM’s impact reaches well beyond the court with skills and approaches transferable to a variety of auxiliary junior services and junior play platforms.

Through strategic partnerships with the Sporting Schools Program,

• The club worked with over a dozen schools in 2024.
• Introducing more than 300 primary and secondary students to volleyball.
• Linking emerging participants to additional ways to enjoy volleyball at club level. 

Congratulations to VFUM and its Junior Program’s ability to support growth, develop talent, and shape the future of volleyball in Victoria.

Volley Friends United Melbourne		Kid Camaya

Excellence in Coaching Award

Kid Camaya is not only a highly accomplished coach but a pillar of both Volley Friends United Melbourne (VFUM) and the broader Volleyball community.

As a Level 3 Associate Coach, Kid’s expertise is nationally recognised.  His coaching career spans nearly every age group, gender, and competitive level—making his contribution truly remarkable in its breadth and impact.

As VV Youth State programs Head coach over several years, his leadership in these high-performance environments speaks to his strategic understanding of the game, deep commitment to player development, and exceptional ability to inspire young athletes.

Kid is the driving force behind VFUM’s Junior Development Program, which he founded and continues to lead with distinction. In just two years, the program has trained over 150 junior athletes (U18).  His focus on grassroots accessibility has also extended the club’s reach into Melbourne’s Western suburbs, opening new pathways for aspiring athletes and helping build a stronger, more inclusive volleyball community.

Kid’s influence goes far beyond the various teams he coaches. He serves as a mentor to fellow coaches and a strategic leader within the club, ensuring that every athlete benefits from a high-quality and consistent development pathway.

Volleyball Victoria and the volleyball community would like to celebrate Kid’s coaching contribution to the sport.  He exemplifies everything this award seeks to recognise -leadership, dedication, innovation, and a lifelong passion for volleyball.

Volunteer Achievement Award

Through her passion, leadership, strategic vision, energy, and efforts Fiona Abbott has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the local volleyball community in Ballarat.  Her tireless dedication has propelled the growth and inclusivity of volleyball in the region, particularly for juniors and women.

Key Achievements include;

·       As vice president Fiona has played a pivotal role in guiding Volleyball Ballarat on a path of strategic development and action. Working closely to ensure meaningful and productive engagement with the committee, community, and ProSports Coach to develop clear objectives, explore and understand opportunities, and resourcing activities. This includes grants, increasing promotion and marketing of activities, gaining access to facilities to deliver services.

 ·       Increasing female and junior participation through initiatives such as ‘’This Girl Can’’ and establishing Ballarat’s first women’s only competition in over 30 years.  Due to the dedication, BV membership has grown by 44% in the last 12 months, including a 59% increase in juniors U18.  

The community would like to thank Fiona for embracing the spirit of volunteerism to lead, mentor, engage, empower, innovate, and facilitate her extensive efforts that have supported volleyball to thrive in Ballarat.

Fiona Abbott		Chris Gordon

Service to Volleyball Award

It is with great pleasure that Volleyball Victoria awards the Service to Volleyball Award to Chris Gordon in recognition of his enormous contributions to Maroondah Volleyball over the past 15 years.

Chris has demonstrated remarkable commitment and dedication to the sport and organisation, having held executive positions from 2011-2016 as VC and 2016- present as president of Maroondah Volleyball Association.

Since joining the Committee, Chris has undertaken initiatives that have significantly enhanced Maroondah Volleyball’s operational efficiency and community engagement.

Key achievements have included the,

• Website Revitalisation and Digitisation:  - which drove efficiencies in communication, processes and streamlining access to important documentation.
• Modernised Payment Systems – implemented a seamless transition to digital payments, which has greatly improved financial transaction efficiency, transparency and accountability for members and stakeholders.
• Electronic Fixturing and Referee Management: Chris has ensured that all fixtures, referee rosters, sections of the local league, and Best & Fairest voting processes are now produced electronically.
• Supported the revival of the annual Maroondah Tournament which see 70-80 teams compete annually from across Victoria, interstate, and internationally.
• Actively involved in facilities management, upgrade, maintenance and operational advocacy with key stakeholder groups and committees to ensure volleyball is front and centre in decision making.
• Competition support for Victorian Volleyball League administration and delivery along with officiated at National Youth Level and court supervised state competitions.
• Received a suite of club, community and VV awards for his contribution to his community.

Our sport is stronger for your efforts.

Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association

Most Outstanding Association Award

Previously known as Riddles Creek Volleyball Association, Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association has grown to play a vital role in delivering volleyball across the northern metropolitan fringes and the Macedon Ranges.

Its inclusive environment ensures players of all levels from beginner to elite athletes have an opportunity to development their ability and love of the sport.

Notable activities over the past year have included;

• Delivering a range of activities from grassroots, competitive and pathways formats of play which has strengthened junior, development and support programs.
• Greater utilisation of Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct indoor stadium through advocacy with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and other key stakeholders.
• Upskilling and capacity building of members in coaching and officiating roles to strengthen ongoing sustainability and improve service delivery.
• Entering teams and athletes in a suite of local, regional, and state competitions, while promoting representative performance pathways. This includes regional and junior tournaments, Country Championships, Local teams in the Emergency Services games, State League, and State Pathways athletes just to name a few.
• Involvement with Council “Come & Try” community events like ‘’This Girl Can’’ – transferring interest into membership and ongoing involvement with the sport.

The Victorian Volleyball community would like to congratulate Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association on its efforts to promote and galvanise the sport in regional areas and creating inclusive and proactive environments to grow the sport.