2025 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup wraps another record-breaking year – Volleyball Australia

2025 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup wraps another record-breaking year

The 2025 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup has come to a spectacular close on the Gold Coast, wrapping up a week of high-energy competition, community spirit and emerging volleyball talent in the event’s 41st year.

This year’s tournament saw 529 teams from 164 schools compete across five bustling venues, with 2,500 games played over a week of competition from 7-13 December. The Gold Coast once again provided an unforgettable backdrop for one of the largest school-aged sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere.

Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee said the continued growth of the Schools Cup highlights the strength and passion of the volleyball community nationwide.

“The Australian Volleyball Schools Cup continues to be one of the most important events on our calendar, not just for participation, but for showcasing the next generation of Australian volleyball talent,” Dee said. 

“To see 530 teams from across Australia and New Zealand come together is a powerful reflection of how much this sport continues to grow.

“Events like this don’t happen without the dedication of teachers, coaches, parents, officials and volunteers, and we are incredibly grateful for the commitment that brings this week to life.

“The support from Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast has once again been central to delivering the event at scale and elevating the experience for athletes, families and schools travelling from across Australia and New Zealand. A huge thank you to all our event partners and sponsors for helping make another memorable year possible.

“Thank you also for the valuable support provided by the federal government under the Australian Sports Commission PlayWell and WinWell programs that provide opportunities for players at all levels.” 

Across the week thousands of students delivered standout performances as they competed in divisions for athletes aged 12-18 and across all skill levels. The tournament culminated in an action-packed finals day, with gold medals awarded in boys and girls divisions from Year 7 through to Year 12.

Taking out the title of 2025 Overall Champion School was Brighton Secondary College, showcasing depth, consistency and excellence across multiple divisions and age groups, led by captains Zephyr Brus and Reuben Brookes.

“It’s such a surreal feeling,” Zephyr said. 

“It really shows the hard work and determination we’re putting into volleyball in class and throughout the year and it just really shows a whole program effort, which is so nice to have.

“Schools Cup is always the highlight at the end of the year. There’s all these crazy schools, and it was the best volleyball we were going to play all year, so for it to come to an end was really emotional, just so surreal.”

“This is our sixth in a row during our time at Schools Cup, so it’s just amazing that all the work we put into it shows off every year, and we’re able to get the chocolates at the end,” Reuben said.

“It is definitely a bit emotional this year, because it’s our last year, and the journey over my time coming here, but also being part of the program has been so special, and the memories and friends that I’ve made, it’s been lifelong. So really happy for all of us.” 

In the premier divisions of the tournament, the Year 12 Honours competitions once again delivered some of the most exciting volleyball of the week, with Lake Ginninderra and Rossmoyne taking home the Australian gold medal in the boys and girls competitions.

Rossmoyne students Holly Hunter and Asha Walters led their side to a hard-fought gold medal victory, reflecting on the emotion, growth and depth of their team after the final whistle.

“We’re so excited and there’s just so much adrenaline rushing through right now,” Asha said. 

“We’re so proud of each other and our team, we’ve come so far since the start of the year, and our team is full of mostly Year 10s, who we’ve had to bring up and comfort, I guess, to be able to win this one.” 

“This is our fourth year coming to school’s cup, and we’ve managed to be in a grand final every single year – this was a hat trick for us,” Holly said. 

“This is our third gold medal win, which is obviously just so, so exciting, especially in our final year.

“I’m so grateful for the team and my girls who have come up with me, and just the team environment that we have is just so so special.”

In a hard-fought four-set Boys Open Honours Final against New Zealand’s Rangitoto College, Lake Ginninderra fell 1-3 but still secured the Australian Gold Medal as the top-placed Australian school to reach the final. For Year 12 players William Witheford and Ben Larsen, it was a bittersweet result with pride in the achievement, mixed with disappointment at not finishing with a win.

“It’s disappointing to make the final, not actually win the final, but I’m still very proud of how much we’ve done,” William said. 

“Coming to this tournament and getting to the grand final, technically winning gold, was huge. It’s disappointing to lose the final match, but it’s still awesome to win the whole thing.”

“I’ve played Schools Cup on and off since Grade 5, so for this to be the last one now in Grade 12 feels really important and it’s the last time you get to play for your school,” Ben said.

“It’s nice seeing and playing against a lot of players that you’ve been with for so many years, and it’s just a good competition and for the last one it almost felt like a bit more pressure, but it’s the most fun.”

The 2025 event was once again defined by its vibrant atmosphere, cheering crowds, school colours in every venue and lasting friendships formed both on and off the court.

For full event results – click here.