Media Release 2026 Junior Country Championships West

MEDIA RELEASE 

15 June 2026 
 
Horsham to Host 2026 Junior Country Championships - West 

Volleyball Victoria is thrilled to announce that the 2026 Junior Country Championships - West will be held in Horsham, Victoria, from 25-27 September 2026. This prestigious event will take place at Horsham Basketball Stadium, providing a premier venue for the best junior country volleyball talent in the west of Victoria. 

Volleyball Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Kylie Bloodworth is excited about the event returning to Horsham after another successful Junior Country Championships in 2025. "We're delighted to partner with Horsham Rural City Council and Volleyball Horsham to bring the 2026 Junior Country Championships – West to Horsham. The continued growth of country volleyball across Victoria has driven the expansion of this event, with the new East and West format creating more opportunities for regional athletes to compete. We look forward to another outstanding championship that celebrates the strength of country volleyball and showcases the best junior talent from across western Victoria." 

Horsham Rural City Council has been instrumental in securing the Junior Country Championships West for the region.  This continues to reinforce Horsham’s reputation as a hub for major sporting events with their support ensuring players, coaches, officials, and spectators will experience top-tier facilities and a fantastic atmosphere in the heart of regional Victoria. 

Mayor Cr Brian Klowss welcomed the announcement, saying:“Hosting the Junior Country Championships is a great result for Horsham. Not only does it bring exciting sporting action to our region, but it also supports local businesses and gives us an opportunity to showcase everything that makes Horsham such a great place to visit." 

"We're thrilled to welcome the 2026 Junior Country Championships – West to Horsham. Events like this showcase our city as a great place to live, visit and play sport, while providing a valuable boost for our local economy and community." 

Since its inception in 1970, the Country Championships have grown significantly, starting with Division One Men and Women, expanding to include Division Two Men and Women in 1980, and further evolving in 2016 with the addition of Division Three Men and Women. The 2024 Country Championships saw the implementation of a stand-alone Junior event to cater for the ever growing numbers of team entries. 

The 2026 Junior Country Championships will see the event being broken up into an East and West competition to allow the continued growth of the competition.  The winners of the East and West Junior Country Championships will be brought together to compete to determine the overall junior Champions in each male and female division. 

Volleyball Victoria looks forward to an exciting weekend of competition, with the 2026 event promising to showcase the incredible skill and dedication of country volleyball athletes while bringing economic and community benefits to the Horsham region. 

Further event details, including team registrations will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.volleyballvictoria.org.au 

ENDS 

For media enquiries, please contact: 
 
Lauren Alexander 
Operations and Events Administrator 
Volleyball Victoria 
 
lauren.alexander@volleyballvictoria.org.au or 03 9794 0009