Inception and Early Days
Austral Volleyball Club Incorporated, more commonly know as the Austral Phoenix Volleyball Club, was founded in 1973, when it first entered a League and Reserves Men team in the South Australian Volleyball Association. Amongst the founding members, were such names as Ray Harris, Bob Bates, Brett Stirzacer, Allen Harris and Neil Butcher, who played in the first ever League team. In that inaugural year, Austral was ranked third in the competition. League and Reserves Women teams were established in 1975.
In 1973 the home base and practice venue was a church hall in Brougham Place, North Adelaide. As the Club grew, larger facilities were required and the training venue was relocated to the Findon High School Gymnasium, as a number of the players were also staff members of the school. A move to the southern suburbs, which was to become its current home, occurred in the late 80s, when the Marion High School Hall became available, providing a new catchment area for players. Two of whom included Darren Snell and Andrew Grantham who were later to become chosen as the best server and most valued player respectively for the 2001 League Men's Team of the Year.
In the early 90s when Marion High School was closed down and land subsequently subdivided and sold, the hall was preserved and offered to the community. Austral took a major stake in its use and consolidated its home at this location. Cosgrove Hall is now a junior training base for the Club.
Success and Achievements
Over the years, Austral can boast many achievements. We have won the Women’s League trophy in 1980, 1981, the Skip Cup (best club in all divisions) in 1980, 1982, 1985 and had Divisional titles in many carnivals including Wallabies (Melbourne), SA Open and Riverland. 2014 and 2015 saw the Austral League Women secure places in the State League Grand Final, unfortunately taking home the silver.
2024 will undoubtedly be etched into Austral Volleyball Club’s history as a year of unparalleled success. The Club’s Women’s League team achieved an extraordinary feat, dominating the regular season with an immaculate 15–0 record. Meanwhile, the League Men’s team etched their names into the volleyball annals by capturing the coveted State League Premiership for the first time in the Club’s history.
That success proved no one-off, with the League Men’s team backing up their breakthrough triumph by securing a second consecutive State League Premiership in 2025. Together, these achievements firmly marked the beginning of a new era for Austral.
Our membership over the years have included some exceptional volleyball talents, many representing Australia at senior level. David Wright, Brian Low, Karl Neumann, Darian Stirzacer, Andrew Grantham, Conal McAinsh, Elliott Viles and Zachary Schubert are all Australian representatives. From our Women’s teams we can boast an even more impressive line up of those that have worn the green and gold including, Marta Ostermeyer, Wanda Sipa, Cathy Lee, Dianne Biebrick, Kay Dowley, Karola Laventure, Leanne Rohde, Bea Daly and Beth Carey, three of whom captained Australia.
Ray Harris was a visionary in establishing a fledgling Club that has subsequently grown into a major force in Australian Volleyball. In acknowledgement of Ray's role, we have established the Ray Harris Perpetual Trophy, awarded each year to the Club member who has made the greatest contribution. Recent worthy winners of the award include Harrison Paay (President and Player), Steven Marshal (Parent and Committee Member), Karola Laventure (Coach and Player) and Imogen Laventure (Junior Coordinator and Player). The dedication of these people to our Club along with others who support them is a true reflection of the commitment shown by the Harris Family.
Today
Today, the Club boasts 12 Senior teams and 16 Junior teams, with a membership base of close to 300 members. This growth reflects Austral’s strong reputation within South Australian volleyball and its commitment to clear development pathways from junior participation through to senior State League competition.
In 2022, the Club opened its new home at the Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre, which houses club memorabilia and serves as the venue for State League home matches and training sessions.
