VOLLEYBALL: The most important volleyball event in Australia since the 2000 Olympics is coming to Canberra.

Volleyball Australia and the ACT Government are proud to announce the Australian men's Olympic team, the Volleyroos, will take on some of  the best teams from Asia in the national capital in September for a place in next year's World Volleyball Championships.

ACT Minister for Sport Andrew Barr said 'I am delighted that Canberra will be hosting this prestigious event in our Centenary year. It adds to the list of exciting sporting events held here In the capital to celebrate the Centenary'.

The Volleyroos made the volleyball world sit up and take notice when they not only qualified for last year's London Olympics, but then finished in the top ten. Along the way they beat medal favourites, Poland.

The Australians are currently the top ranked team in Asia, and rated 11th in the world. Nearly all of the squad play professionally for European-based clubs.

To get to next year's World Championships in Poland the Volleyroos will have to beat Kazakhstan, Thailand and Kuwait during a hectic Canberra weekend. President of Volleyball Australia Craig Carracher said "this is an exciting time to have Australia back on the world Volleyball map and will well and truly launch our 'Digging for Gold' Road to Rio medal campaign".

Carracher is encouraging volleyball fans from all over Australia to descend on the nationals capital to show their support for what will be a spectacle of athletic prowess.

Sport fans will be treated to two matches a day at Arena Stadium at the AIS between September 6 and 8. Minister Barr said: ' the weekend will be a great chance for volleyball fans in Canberra and the local region to see some of the world's best players in action. I encourage all volleyball fans and fans of top flight sporting action in general to spread the word and head to the AIS Arena in September to support the Volleyroos' .

Volleyball Australia CEO Judy Flanagan said: 'It will be a wonderful and rare opportunity to see these sporting giants (the Australian team was the second tallest at last year's Olympics) in action. As also the second youngest team at the Olympics the Volleyroos are expected to remain a world force for many years to come'.

Volleyball Australia