With its vast coastline and beautiful
beaches Australia is more suited to beach volleyball, but it will be the indoor
team trying to make waves of their own as they re-emerge on the international
stage. This is the team’s World Grand Prix debut and they are competing as part
of the Oceania development programme.
The team have been competing in the Asian
Championship for almost 40 years and the fourth-place finishes they achieved in
1975 and 1979 remain their highest in the competition. The team have taken part
at the World Championship twice, coming 12th in 1982 and equal 21st in 2002.
The Volleyroos received some welcome
exposure in the country when they competed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games,
finishing in a creditable tie for ninth place. Coach Mark Barnard has been
working on new offensive and defensive systems ahead of the World Grand Prix.
The team get their campaign under way with their Pool P opener against
Kazakhstan on July 25. |