The Australian government has denied a visa to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of child abuse, blocking his entry into the country.

The Australian government has denied entry to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was previously convicted of child abuse. Van de Velde’s visa application to participate in the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide was rejected, the government confirmed through the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Government cites public safety concerns

According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the government’s primary duty is to ensure public safety. “We will do everything in our power to make Australians feel safe,” Burke said. The decision was directly linked to Van de Velde’s prior conviction for child abuse.

Van de Velde says he respects the decision

In a written statement, Van de Velde said he was aware that the Australian government could take such a decision and expressed his respect for it. The Dutch athlete added that while he has continued his professional career, his past offense remains a lasting consequence in his life.

Player served prison sentence in 2016 case

Court records show that Steven van de Velde admitted in 2016 to abusing a child he met through social media. He was sentenced to four years in prison but was released after serving 12 months. Following his release, he returned to professional volleyball in 2018 and represented the Netherlands in international competitions.

Tournament preparations continue in Adelaide

Preparations for the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, are ongoing. Tournament organizers stated their full support for the government’s decision, emphasizing that player and spectator safety remains a top priority for the event.

Scandicci and Milano claim dominant away wins in Serie A1 Volleyball round 5, while Pinerolo edges Firenze in a thrilling five-set battle.

Savino Del Bene Scandicci continued their unbeaten run in the Serie A1 Volleyball round 5 by sweeping San Giovanni in Marignano 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-15).
Despite missing star opposite Ekaterina Antropova, Scandicci’s balanced offense shone through as Bosetti and Ruddins each contributed 14 points. Setter Bechis, replacing Ognjenovic, earned MVP honors for orchestrating the team’s fast-paced attack.
Scandicci’s defense was equally solid, with Weitzel and Graziani combining for 8 team blocks. The victory puts Scandicci level with Conegliano at the top of the standings with 14 points, while San Giovanni remains winless.

Milano sweep Macerata behind unstoppable Egonu

Reigning Supercup champions Vero Volley Milano celebrated in front of their home fans with a convincing 3-0 win (25-21, 29-27, 25-16) against CBF Balducci Macerata.
Paola Egonu led the charge with a stunning 62% attack efficiency, tallying 19 points. Middle blocker Kurtagic, named MVP, added 10 points with 3 key blocks.
Despite Macerata’s spirited effort — including 15 points from Decortes — their reception and blocking struggled to contain Milano’s offensive rhythm. Milano move to 13 points and remain firmly in the top group.

Pinerolo edge Firenze in five-set thriller

Unionvolley Pinerolo earned a crucial away win, defeating Firenze 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 15-12) at the Pala Big Mat.
In a tightly contested match, Pinerolo’s Malual and Davyskiba both scored 18 points, while middle blocker Dodson contributed 14 with 3 blocks and 1 ace, earning MVP honors.
Firenze’s Villani led her side with 17 points, supported by Tanase’s strong reception performance (63%). The victory pushes Pinerolo to 5 points, closing in on mid-table positions.

Busto Arsizio return to winning ways

UYBA Busto Arsizio secured a vital 3-0 home win (25-21, 25-23, 25-12) against Megabox Vallefoglia, climbing to 6 points in the table.
Obossa dominated the match with 19 points, supported by Eckl’s 13 and three service aces. The hosts showed greater composure in key moments, particularly in the third set where they allowed only 12 points.
Vallefoglia struggled offensively, with Bici limited to 12 points and Omoruyi to 9, as the team’s efficiency dropped sharply in the final set.

League outlook after round 5

After the fifth round, Conegliano and Scandicci share the top spot with 14 points, followed by Milano (13) and Novara (12).
At the bottom, San Giovanni and Macerata are still searching for their first victories. The next round will feature key clashes that could reshape the early standings.

In the midweek Women’s Serie A1 match played as an early fixture due to the upcoming Club World Championship, Savino Del Bene Scandicci delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Vero Volley Milano. Despite three closely contested sets, the home side held their nerve in key moments to take all three points.

Milano struggle with reception despite Egonu’s effort

Milano started strong in the opening set, leading 18-15 before losing momentum. Scandicci responded with a 7-2 run to overturn the score. Milano’s serve reception issues continued throughout the match, and although Paola Egonu contributed 21 points, her efforts fell short of turning the tide. Scandicci setter Maja Ognjenovic orchestrated the offense effectively and was named MVP of the match.

Antropova leads Scandicci to the top of the table

Ekaterina Antropova led Scandicci with 18 points, supported by 7 team blocks and 6 aces. The victory puts Savino Del Bene at the top of the standings, level on points with Conegliano and Novara, though with one extra match played. For Milano, the defeat marks their first loss of the season after winning the Italian Super Cup.

Conegliano make quick work of Pinerolo

In another match played on the same evening, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano swept Wash4Green Pinerolo 3-0 in just 80 minutes. From the opening serve, Conegliano took full control, with standout performances from Isabelle Haak and Gabriela Guimarães (Gabi), who both finished with 16 points.

Gabi named MVP as Conegliano stay unbeaten

Conegliano showed their offensive superiority with 56 attack attempts compared to Pinerolo’s 25. Middle blocker Marina Lubian added 14 points, including 3 blocks and 1 ace, hitting at 71% efficiency. Gabi was awarded MVP for her all-around performance in both attack and defense. On the home side, Hanna Davyskiba recorded 11 points and led the team in serve reception. With the win, Conegliano remain undefeated and share the lead with Scandicci and Novara.