2025 Country Championships a Huge Success

2025 Country Championships a Huge Success

The annual Volleyball Victoria Country Championship returned to Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena from 6–9 June 2025.  This tournament brought together 14 associations, 45 teams, and 150 games played across 10 courts and in 6 divisions.  2025 crowned six new champions, showing the depth of volleyball in the country Victoria, and welcomed back Goulburn Valley Volleyball to the Country Championships after an almost 30-year absence.

The tournament highlighted the strength, dedication, passion, and sense of community that makes country volleyball unique and makes the Country Championships such a special part of the Victorian volleyball annual calendar.

Bendigo Volleyball Association capped off a dominant tournament by winning the prestigious Chairman’s Trophy, awarded to the association that accumulated the most points across all divisions. Their consistent performance across all categories earned them this top honour, reflecting the strength and dedication of their athletes.

In Division 1 Men, in an outstanding 5 set thriller Bendigo Volleyball Association claimed the gold medal and their 20^th Division One Men’s title since 1970, defeating Sunraysia Volleyball Association in the final, while Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association secured bronze.

In Division 1 Women, Bendigo Volleyball Association again triumphed going undefeated and securing the gold over Volleyball Horsham, with Warrnambool Volleyball Association finishing third.

Division 2 Men saw Volleyball Ballarat come out on top, capturing gold over Sunraysia Volleyball Association. Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association earned the bronze medal after a hard-fought tournament.

In Division 2 Women, South Gippsland Volleyball Association emerged victorious with gold, their second only Division Two title, the first since 1996 (played as Korumburra) . Sunraysia Volleyball Association fought hard claiming silver and Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association taking bronze.

Division 3 Men saw Bendigo Volleyball Association secure gold, Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association Navy Team finish with silver, and Sunraysia Volleyball Association rounding out the podium with bronze.

Division 3 Women concluded with Albury Wodonga Volleyball Association capturing gold, Volleyball Ballarat taking silver, and Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 2 finishing with bronze.

Individual excellence was also celebrated, with MVPs awarded to the most outstanding players in each division:

• Division 1 Men: Lachlan Chester (Bendigo Volleyball Association)
• Division 1 Women: Kara Johnson (Volleyball Horsham)
• Division 2 Men: Tristan Gibbs (Warrnambool Volleyball Association)
• Division 2 Women: Eboni Kewin (Latrobe Valley Volleyball Inc)
• Division 3 Men: Sean Ashton (Mornington Volleyball)
• Division 3 Women: Arieta Lena Ketemosi (Goulburn Valley Volleyball Association)

Referees played a vital role in the tournament’s success, ensuring fair play and upholding the spirit of the game. Aleksandra Jaworski was recognised as the Referee of the Tournament, while Lachlan Shields (Goulburn Valley Volleyball Association) received the Referee Encouragement Award.

Thank you to the Volleyball Victoria Life Members in attendance at the Country Championships who assisted with Presentations; David Berry, Liz Pollock, Murray Mansfield and Tom Stephens.

All Star Seven selections were made throughout the pool matches, congratulations to all players names in the All Start Seven teams.

Division 1 Men:

• Lachlan Chester - Bendigo Volleyball Association
• Lachlan Morland - Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association
• Dylan Lucchesi - Sunraysia Volleyball Association
• Matt Gordon - Bendigo Volleyball Association
• Andrew Burgess - Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association
• Kade Zrna (Best Setter) - Sunraysia Volleyball Association
• Joshua Gordon (Best Libero) - Bendigo Volleyball Association

Division 1 Women:

• Kara Johnson - Volleyball Horsham
• Georgie Hassell - Bendigo Volleyball Association
• Eliza Patterson Lade - Bendigo Volleyball Association
• Gabrielle Lougheed - Warrnambool Volleyball
• Bella Van Vugt - Warrnambool Volleyball
• Kilby Galo (Best Setter) - Bendigo Volleyball Association
• Sophie Quick (Best Libero) - Volleyball Horsham

Division 2 Men:

• Lachlan Thompson - Albury Wodonga Volleyball Association
• Jonny Knight - Bairnsdale Volleyball Association
• Will Price - Sunraysia Volleyball Association
• Nicholas Dunkling - South Gippsland Volleyball
• Joseph Ahearn - Warrnambool Volleyball
• Tristan Gibbs (Best Setter) - Warrnambool Volleyball
• Dane Krackowizer (Best Libero) - South Gippsland Volleyball

Division 2 Women:

• Eboni Kewin - Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association
• Kate Eason - Surf Coast Volleyball Association
• Kirsty Knight - Sunraysia Volleyball Association
• Natasha Hibma - South Gippsland Volleyball
• Jessica Sanders - South Gippsland Volleyball
• Natalie Gillard (Best Setter) - Bairnsdale Volleyball Association
• Best Libero: Amber Mazon (Best Libero) - Bairnsdale Volleyball Association

Division 3 Men:

• Sean Ashton - Mornington Volleyball Club
• Jack Gretton - Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association Navy Team
• Shane Marchewka - Macedon Ranges Volleyball Association Orange Team
• Joshua Lim - Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 1
• Bailey Holland - Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 2
• Adam Douglass (Best Setter) - Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 2
• James Johns (Best Libero) - Volleyball Horsham

Division 3 Women:

• Arieta Lena Ketemosi - Goulburn Valley Volleyball Association
• Amara Thompson - Albury Wodonga Volleyball Association
• Ariya Marwood - Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 2
• Isabelle Macasero - Volleyball Ballarat
• Liselott Webster - South Gippsland Volleyball
• Pallas Condon (Best Setter) - Bendigo Volleyball Association Team 2
• Lorraine Tangpos (Best Libero) - South Gippsland Volleyball

Volleyball Victoria thanks all players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and supporters who made the 2025 Country Championships a memorable event. The tournament showcased the sense of community that brings regional volleyball together.

Looking ahead, the Junior Country Championships will be hosted by Volleyball Horsham from 26–28 September 2025, with entries open now.