The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Beach Volleyball National Training Centre has today been officially recognised as an International Centre of Excellence by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) - a major milestone for Australian beach volleyball and South Australian sport.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce, Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher, and SASI Director Keren Faulkner, formally confirming this international recognition.

Located within the Mile End Sports Precinct, the National Training Centre is home to both the national men’s and SASI’s beach volleyball programs, providing a world-class environment for elite athletes to train and develop.

The purpose-built facility features:

• Four internationally accredited beach volleyball courts
• Performance analysis cameras and a large HD courtside replay screen
• International match-standard lighting
• Access to SASI’s broader suite of high-performance services and facilities

The announcement comes the day before the Beach Volleyball World Championships commence in Adelaide, where the world’s best athletes will compete at The Drive in a high-energy, festival-like atmosphere featuring live entertainment, food and premium hospitality.

As part of SASI’s ongoing support for the Championships, competitors have been able to access the National Training Centre’s world-class facilities in the lead-up to the event.

SASI Director Keren Faulkner said the recognition from the FIVB reflects SASI’s commitment to fostering excellence in sport.

“At SASI, athletes are at the heart of everything we do,” Faulkner said.

“Having our beach volleyball facilities recognised at an international level means we’re providing our current and future athletes with the best possible environment to succeed, right here in South Australia.”

The International Centre of Excellence status acknowledges the high-performance standards of the SASI Beach Volleyball National Training Centre and its vital role in supporting athlete development, innovation, and collaboration at both the national and international levels.