SA Pride at the ParaVolley Champs
23 June 2025
Our People Competitive SA Pride on the International Stage: A Breakthrough Moment at the 2025 ParaVolley Championships
South Australians have made their mark at the 2025 ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zonal Championships, proudly contributing to a significant milestone in Australian sitting volleyball.
The Australian Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team achieved a historic breakthrough, recording their first international victory since the Sydney 2000 Paralympics with a hard-fought 3–2 win over Saudi Arabia. It’s a powerful step forward for the program — and South Australia was front and centre.
Simon Albury represented the nation on court in his international debut, showcasing determination and pride in the green and gold. Supporting from the bench were Phil Im, Assistant Coach for the men’s team, and John Howard, Assistant Coach for the women’s squad — both bringing strong South Australian expertise to the international stage.
“Amazing to experience international sitting volleyball for the first time. Grateful to be part of this developing squad and loved every minute of it!” – Simon Albury
“We learnt so much together — as coaches, players and staff — about what it takes to grow and succeed on the international stage. Proud to be part of this history-making journey. We’re building something special towards Brisbane 2032.” – Phil Im
“It was an incredible experience working with such a diverse group of athletes. A valuable opportunity that deepened my understanding of the game.” – John Howard
We’re proud to see South Australians contributing to the growth and future of sitting volleyball.