Hills International College (HIC) at Jimboomba, south-west of Brisbane, is celebrating some big wins after launching a unique school-based beach volleyball program last year.
The HIC Under 14 Girls team won gold at the recent Beach Schools Cup and Year 8 student Alyce Castner took gold at the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships after she was selected in the Queensland team.
The college says it has the only school-based beach volleyball program in Australia (known as BV@H), supported by five international-standard courts.
BV@H is delivered in partnership with Clovers Beach Volleyball and is led by Head Coach Angela Gaviglio, a former Olympian who represented Australia in indoor volleyball at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
The program has grown from two initial students to almost 30 participants, with HIC athletes quickly progressing to podium finishes and representative honours.
The gold-winning Under 14 Girls team comprised Alyce Castner, Piper Musgrave, Cleo McLaren and Evie Panther.
Students Indigo Harradine, Tristan Gaviglio and Chelsea Knight have been selected for the Pacific District Volleyball teams and Tristan and Indigo have been named in the South Coast Volleyball team.
BV@H Coach and Head of Sport at Hills International College Mark Robinson said the college was aiming to attract Australian and international students to the program.
“This year’s Beach Schools Cup, at Coolangatta, was the biggest one they’ve ever held, with over 500 teams and 60-odd courts,” he said.
“We’re looking ahead to 2027 and the Australian Beach Schools Cup, which is the next level up for schools, which we will want to put teams in for next year.
“Getting our students to the Olympics is our big, big picture goal. Of course, there’s a long way to go first.”
