Did you know that Craigslea State High School is now home to a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art Volleyball Centre of Excellence? The Chermside West school has one of the longest running volleyball programs in QLD through its top-ranking Craigslea Volleyball Academy.
The state-of-the-art Volleyball Centre of Excellence, which officially opened in February 2025, replaces the school’s previous 50-year-old venue. This significant improvement was made possible by an $18-million investment from the State.
The opening ceremony saw Principal Mick Leigh, alongside The Honourable Tim Mander MP, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts, celebrate the new centre.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Craigslea Volleyball Academy (CVA), founded in 1988 by Randel Robertson, has a long-standing reputation as one of Australia’s top volleyball schools. A key annual event for the academy is the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup (AVSC), where athletes compete against the best schools nationally.
Craigslea has consistently been Queensland’s most successful school at this event, being the only Queensland school to attend all 36 cups and winning the overall ‘National Champion’ title in 1989. The CVA currently holds a state ranking of 1st and a national ranking of 2nd.
Modern Facilities for Future Champions
The newly opened Volleyball and Community Sports Centre enhances the success of the Volleyball Academy. It features two competition-standard indoor courts and two Olympic-size beach courts. These modern facilities offer improved spectator seating and a mezzanine viewing area.
Students say the new centre allows players to execute the game properly, addressing previous limitations such as low roofs and lack of space behind the service line. Fixed cameras in the venue will allow for game analysis, helping players work on technique and reach a higher level.
Principal Mick Leigh stated that the school now has an Olympic-standard stadium suitable for a champion school, acknowledging that the school has one of the longest-running volleyball programs in the nation.
Craig Marshall, National High-Performance Manager for Volleyball Australia, noted that the facility will boost participation in the sport, particularly in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Games, and enable higher-level tactical and technical development for athletes.
Developing Athletes and Individuals
The CVA program extends beyond just volleyball skills, focusing on personal development. Preparing for the AVSC provides students with opportunities to develop essential personal, interpersonal, and life skills through teamwork. The program teaches students to handle both the excitement of success and the disappointment of defeat, creating lasting memories and friendships.
The academy provides athletes with opportunities to play both beach and indoor volleyball at state and national levels. It maintains strong connections with community partners, including Norths Volleyball Club, Volleyball Queensland, Queensland Pirates, Volleyball Australia, and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Emerging Talent Program.
Program Structure and Achievements
Students wishing to join the CVA program must complete an online application detailing their sporting experience and participate in a trial afternoon. The program currently has around 230 players, supported by 15 teaching staff and over 20 alumni coaches. All CVA curriculum staff are qualified as Level 3 ‘Elite Coach’. Students in the program are expected to maintain high achievement and suitable behaviour across all subjects and attend extra-curricular sessions and tournaments.
CVA has a proud history of success, having been the Queensland Champion School every year from 2008 to 2023. Its alumni include three past students who represented Australia in the 2000 Olympics, one at the 2014 Youth Olympics, and two who became international beach volleyball coaches. Over 60 students have achieved national selection, and more than 200 have represented the state.
The academy has also secured eight National Schools Open Honours Division titles, including a rare three-peat for the Open Girls in 2012, 2013, and 2014, along with six National Schools Junior Honours Division titles. Many alumni continue their association with the school, returning as coaches and support staff.
Published Date 26-May-2025
