The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) is excited to announce the development of a new Beach Volleyball program to commence in October.

The program will see young athletes discovered in South Australia and propelled to success on the international stage.

SASI’s Beach Volleyball program will be coached by SASI graduate and Olympic beach volleyballer, Andrew Schacht.

At the age of 17, Schacht became a SASI beach volleyball scholarship holder and in the years ahead, went on to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics before taking on coaching roles at a national level.

After 30 years of playing and coaching volleyball, Schacht is looking forward to getting back to his roots at the South Australian Sports Institute.

“I’ve been national team focused for over 20 years… I look forward to giving back to the institute where I got my start as a young kid and gave me a chance to chase my dreams,” Schacht said.

“This opportunity will give me a chance to get back into that level and help young kids come through and do some of the things I did which is exciting.

“Just to be part of the institute (SASI) as well, with the staff and the support team they have, it’s really exciting for me to be part of while continuing my role as Men’s Volleyroos Development Coach.”

The new SASI Beach Volleyball program will enable the coaching staff to identify, develop and deliver young volleyballers into the national teams which will be an integral step in preparing for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“This new program will supercharge things and get South Australian Beach Volleyball really firing on all cylinders,” Schacht said.

“From Volleyball SA, to SASI, to Volleyball Australia – it’s a real alignment piece that we are working on here and getting everyone’s vision connected through to 2032.

“We are trying to create and help our sport deliver medals with South Australian based athletes.”

The program will also recruit new talent through the SASI Talent Search program to try and fast-track talented sportspeople into the SASI pathway, getting them ready to compete at an international level.

“We want to play a leading role in the country for this institute to keep punching above its weight as it always has done,” Schacht said.

A key goal for the Beach Volleyball Coach is the longevity of the program so it can become a centre piece for beach volleyball in Australia.

“The program needs to grow and become well-known and well-received for people to want to be a part of it, both as athletes and coaches,” Schacht highlighted.

“It is a really critical program; it will be a real beacon for the next generation of volleyballers in South Australia as well as playing an integral part of the national development of our sport too.

“The SASI brand in volleyball is one of success and has been a hugely important foundation for Australian Volleyball for over 40 years.

“I am excited to lean back into my past and that of this iconic program to help create a new future in South Australia for our next generation.”