About the Program
Craigslea Volleyball Academy (CVA) was founded in 1988 by Randel Robertson. His devotion to the sport has resulted in the school being viewed nationally as one of
Australia’s premier volleyball schools.
A significant event on the CVA school calendar each year is the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup (AVSC), which is a key focus of the program, providing athletes with the opportunity to measure their success against the best schools in Australia.
Since the inception of AVSC, Craigslea has been the only Queensland school to attend all 36 events and has
consistently been the most successful Queensland school, winning the overall title of 'National Champion' in
1989. CVA currently has a state ranking of 1st and a national ranking of 2nd. As a school, we are incredibly proud
of these results and strive to achieve excellence every time we compete.
The CVA provides athletes with the opportunity to play both beach and indoor volleyball (competing at a state and national level) and has close working links with the following community partners:
Although the CVA program aims at excellence, it provides more than a volleyball focus. It is about personal development. The preparation for AVSC provides opportunities for our students to develop important personal, interpersonal and life skills as they work co-operatively within their learning environment in pursuit of individual and team goals.
The program provides our students with a significant learning experience where they learn to deal with the joy of success and the disappointment of defeat. Over the years, CVA has provided our students with a lifetime of memories and the opportunity to meet and establish lifelong friendships.
Our Facilities
Craigslea SHS is the first school in Australia to have fully equipped indoor and outdoor facilities. We offer two indoor courts and two olympic-size beach courts.
We are excited to announce the development of our new volleyball and community sports centre which is currently under construction.
Entrance to the CVA Program
All students who wish to apply for the Craigslea Volleyball Academy (CVA) Program will need to:
1. Complete an online application.
- Ensure you have considered all of your previous sporting experiences, including years played, club names and any representative honours.
- Do you have any certificates or trophies? Provide us with any information that shows the degree of competitive sport played over the past few years.
2. Partake in a trial afternoon.
Once online applications close, applicants will be notified of subsequent steps that they must take to finalise the application process. The Volleyball trials will take place shortly after this. Please refer to the 'Programs of Excellence Flowchart' for 2024 process of application.
Expert Staff
All CVA curriculum staff are Level 3 'Elite Coach' qualified.
The current
program has around 230 players with 15 teaching staff and over 20 alumni forming the core of the
coaching group. The Academy class is an extension of this existing framework managed and operated by the
Academy’s Program Manager, Tim Walsh, and its coaching staff (Tenielle Payne, Michaela Campbell, Shannon McCartney and Connor Rudder).
Maintenance of Position in Program
It is expected that students who enter the program will maintain high achievement levels in CVA classes and display suitable behaviour and effort not only within the CVA but in all subjects. They will also be required to attend extra-curricular CVA sessions and tournaments. The school reserves the right to withdraw students from the program at any time.
Pathways
There have been hundreds of Craigslea students who have
represented not only their school, but also their district, region and state since the early eighties, with some
players going on to national representative honours.
CVA recognises and acknowledges volleyball as a unique part of Craigslea SHS's history. The ongoing commitment to a structured program provides our athletes with direct links to key support bodies, including Norths Volleyball, Volleyball Queensland,
Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and Volleyball Australia. This provides those students who have a genuine
commitment to the sport with an opportunity to pursue volleyball along the many pathways that now exist.
This includes the option of pursuing the sport as a career, as have a number of our graduates.
2015 CVA graduate, Phoebe Bell (pictured left) and Jessyka Ngauamo lived up to their status and won title at the 2018 Daegu one-star stop on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.
CVA Alumni
It is extremely gratifying that many of our alumni want to maintain their association with Craigslea, returning to give something back as coaches, team managers and support staff. They see their participation in volleyball as a significant part of their life and want to give back to the school through donating their time.
Highlights
CVA has been Queensland Champion School each consecutive year from 2008 - 2023
CVA is ranked #2 nationally
Three past students represented Australia in the 2000 Olympics
One past student represented Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympics and Youth World Games
Two past students are international beach volleyball coaches
Over 60 students gaining national selection
Over 200 students gaining state representation
Over 40 players were selected in the Queensland elite Development program
Eight National schools Open Honours Division titles, including a rare three-peat win for the Open Girls in 2012, 2013 and 2014
Six National Schools Junior Honours Division titles