ADELAIDE SPIKERS VOLLEYBALL CLUB
SPORT AND RECREATION AWARD
NOMINATED FOR
Thebarton
Profiles on this page have been prepared and submitted by nominees or their representatives as part of the South Australian Pride Awards process. Content reflects the words, achievements, and information provided in those submissions. Pride Adelaide has not edited profiles beyond minor formatting or clarity adjustments. Inclusion on this page does not represent an endorsement, assessment, or ranking and does not influence the independent judging process.
How would you describe yourself or your work in one sentence?
Queer inclusivity in volleyball
Tell us a little about what you do
Adelaide Spikers Volleyball Club is proud to have offered a safe and inclusive place for queer people to connect and play volleball together for over 30 years now. We are a social club that focuses on creating a safe space for the queer community to feel comfortable in sports, as many of ur community fall out of sports as they're othered. We welcome all skill levels and have social connection and the joy of volleyball as our key focus. We emphasis social connections and mixed skills by mixing teams up each week and offering social catch up after games are finished.
What impact or achievement are you most proud of this year?
Adelaide Spikers Volleyball Club has been operating since 1995 as a safe place for queer people to play volleyball. Since the inception our numbers have grown over the years, and now average around 40 members annually. We can accommodate up to 42 players on the nights that we play, ranging in age from teenagers to 60+. We regularly welcome new players to our courts, and our emphasis is on making them feel welcome and safe. We are connected with other queer volleyball clubs across Australian capitals, who come and join us for our yearly volleyball tournament. This strengthens our visability in South Australian and Australian volleyball, and strengthens our connection with these queer clubs across Australia. Some of our members also regulalry represent South Australia in these interstate tournements hosted by our sister clubs.
Why does your work matter to the community?
Sports is a rapidly growing area for queer inclusion. Queer people are hungry for safe places to play sports and to connect with their community. We provide both at the same time. Whether long-time members or members for a season, we have provided a safe place for queer people to connect with their community and refind their love of sports. We get new people still coming to terms with their sexuality and openly queer people tentatively re-entering sports after years out of it. We provide a place for people to feel part of our community and make connections on their own terms, at their own speed, while they have fun on the court.
What would you like voters to know when voting for you?
We are a safe space for all in the queer community to come play volleyball, fall in love with the sport, and make connections within and across our community.