Calls to reconsider funding for World Beach Volleyball Championships in Adelaide
Adelaide will throw away its chance to host a world-class beach volleyball event and cash in on Olympics hype unless the federal government pitches in, organisers say.
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Adelaide is set to squander its opportunity to cash in on the global popularity of beach volleyball – one of the hottest tickets of the Paris Olympics – because the federal government is refusing to fund a major international tournament, senior officials say.
Organisers of the World Beach Volleyball Championships, to be held in Adelaide in November 2025, are pleading for federal sport minister Anika Wells to reconsider the government’s position following the success of the sport in Paris.
The state government announced 14 months ago it had won the rights to host the championships, beach volleyball’s biggest global tournament of the year.
South Australian taxpayers have put up an undisclosed amount of funding, while organisers also put a proposal to the federal government for $6m.
But Adelaide 2025 chief executive Jenny Mann said there has been no funding commitment – and no explanation as to why.
“I’m absolutely astounded that our federal sports minister cannot see and maximise this opportunity,” she said.
She said the amount requested was similar to the funding awarded for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
In Paris, beach volleyball has been hosted at a picturesque temporary stadium constructed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
It has drawn sellout crowds and been praised for its party atmosphere, with music, court announcers and performers.
Ms Mann, who is in Paris for the Olympics, said organisers of the Adelaide event were hoping to replicate that atmosphere – but it would not be possible without federal support.
“Australia needs to see this, we’ve got this. And I do hesitate because if we don’t have a significant budget to put this show on, it won’t be the big dance, it just won’t,” she said.
The Advertiser reported in June there was uncertainty over the future of the event after it was not funded in this year’s federal budget.
Asked whether there was potential for the championships to be cancelled entirely, Ms Mann said governing body Volleyball World had signed a contract locking in the event.
“But we have to deliver an outstanding level or service or, potentially, we’re in a predicament,” she said.
The first images have been released of the main two competition courts at The Drive, where around 1000 cubic metres of sand will be trucked in to transform the tennis courts. There will be four competition courts in total.
Ms Wells, who has also been at the Olympics, said “in sport there will always be more good ideas and initiatives than it is possible for the federal government to fund”.
“Our government is committed to supporting volleyball including almost $4m in funding during the past financial year,” she said.
“The government, ministerial office and Office for Sport have repeatedly provided feedback on the event to Volleyball Australia, including multiple face-to-face meetings.”
She said the government made a record investment in sport this budget, totalling almost $500m – which is set to benefit all sports, including volleyball.
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Originally published as Calls to reconsider funding for World Beach Volleyball Championships in Adelaide
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