BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRANSFORM ADELAIDE INTO A CENTRAL BEACH DISTRICT

Adelaide CBD has been transformed into the ‘central beach district’ as fans flocked to the opening day of action at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.

With all nine Australian teams taking to the court on day one, the event sparked immediate buzz, drawing in thousands of supporters including busloads of school kids eager to experience world-class beach volleyball up close. 

The lively crowd, combined with perfect conditions and a festival-like atmosphere, created an unforgettable opening to the Championship.

Olympian and Adelaide local Zachery Schubert said stepping onto centre court in his home city made the moment even more significant.

“It was awesome, I’ve actually never played a beach volleyball event in Adelaide at this level so it was really special,” Schubert said. 

“It’s Luke and I’s first event, and it’ll also be my last so it was really fun to have the friends and family come out and cheer and despite the result it was still awesome, I get to end my career here in Adelaide which is awesome.”

Queenslander Luke Ryan, making his World Championships debut, said the energy from the stands took the experience to another level.

“It was pretty electric, just hearing the crowd go up every time we did literally anything, and we could kind of egg them on,” Ryan said. 

“Zach and I just had each other’s back and the crowd had our back and it was a pretty nice atmosphere.

“Sometimes [the crowd] can be the difference out there when those rallies just keep on going and we’ll hear that crowd and get just a little bit of extra energy and we’ll be able to put that ball away.” 

World Championship debutant Stefie Fejes said the atmosphere on centre court lifted the team from the first serve, with Adelaide fans packing into the newly transformed beach precinct for opening day.

“It was incredible, having the crowd there finally – we had a couple of practises on centre court but this time having the crowd actually there and cheering was amazing,” Fejes said.

Debutant Queenslander Jasmine Fleming said the combination of school groups, families and the broader volleyball community created a powerful energy that carried the athletes through every big moment.

“So many school kids as well, and friends and family coming out and the volleyball community, you felt the energy through a long rally and they’re there cheering for you at the end, it’s just amazing,” Fleming said. 

“It’s amazing [to see all the school kids] because were were one of them at one stage in our life and I remember watching the indoor VNL and thinking ‘wow I want to do that’, so if we can inspire a couple of them to try out a volleyball career that would be amazing.”

Every Australian match will be broadcast live and free on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand, with tickets and hospitality available via Ticketek.