Volleyball Australia apologises to former players.
July 2024
Volleyball Australia has apologised to former players, after decades of silence in the face of abuse suffered by multiple athletes.
The apology follows sustained advocacy by the athletes themselves. Jacob Holmes and Laura Sigal held their ground through a long and difficult process, and the outcome belongs to them. Our thanks also go to journalist David Mark for his reporting, and to the Australian Sports Commission's Kieran Perkins for weighing in.
Our deepest regard is for the athletes who spoke about their abuse despite everything that disclosure brings with it. Without that courage there is no intervention, and the cycle continues, with more children and athletes harmed. We thank those athletes, past and present, for enduring the re-traumatisation that adverse institutional responses cause, and for holding firm so that these events reached public attention.
What still needs to be addressed
When will the public receive the full report?
Was Volleyball Australia receiving public funding during the period in question?
Where does accountability for individual coaches sit?
When past and present athletes contribute to reviews, who takes responsibility for implementing the outcomes?
Who regulates this space if outcomes are not implemented?
That final question is one ARA has pursued directly. We contributed to the review of the Australian Sports Commission Act, which goes some way towards answering it.
