Volleyball Australia has issued a long-awaited apology for the abuse faced by its female indoor team players at the Australian Institute of Sport.
In a landmark development, Volleyball Australia has issued a long-overdue apology to former players of the Australian women’s indoor team for the severe physical and psychological abuse they endured between 1997 and 2005 at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). This public acknowledgment marks a significant moment in the fight for athlete rights and well-being.
The apology, addressed to players who were as young as 14 during their time at the AIS, outlines a harrowing environment of fear, coercive control, and punitive training practices. Volleyball Australia admitted to a lack of coach accountability, disregard for medical advice, inadequate athlete support, and insufficient complaint-handling mechanisms.
This article references the recent report by ABC News titled “Australian Institute of Sport to offer restoration payments, counselling to abused athletes” by national sports reporter David Mark.
A former player who spoke to ABC News, described the atmosphere as one of fear and control, with training sessions that became synonymous with punishment. Athletes endured verbal and physical abuse, humiliation, body-shaming and excessive penalties. These practices often led to long-lasting psychological trauma and physical injuries.
One particularly distressing account involved a player hyperventilating and vomiting during drills, another bleeding from her hips due to relentless training, and yet another being pushed to play with a fractured finger. Such stories underscore the extent of the abuse and its devastating impact on the athletes’ mental health.
The apology follows a confidential review by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), which confirmed a culture of fear and punishment within the program. The SIA review made several recommendations, including the establishment of a restorative justice process and the issuance of an apology. Despite these recommendations, it took Volleyball Australia an additional two years to formally apologise.
Donaldson Law Trauma-Informed Approach
At Donaldson Law, we have represented many elite athletes who have experienced similar abusive treatment during their elite training which has caused them to develop permanent psychiatric condition/s. Our trauma-informed approach to these claims ensures that our clients receive the care and support they need throughout the legal process.
It is disheartening to see that the issues of abuse and psychological trauma are pervasive across various elite sports. We commend the resilience and courage of the former volleyball players who have endured this lengthy process to seek acknowledgement of their experiences. Their commitment to bringing to light their experiences is truly inspiring and contributes to much-needed change in the culture of elite sports in Australia.
While the apology is a step in the right direction in acknowledging historic systemic failures, we believe there is still more work to do. Elite athletes who have suffered abuse want to be assured that current athletes are having positive experiences, unlike their own. They need to know that they have been heard, and believed, and that comprehensive measures have been taken to create a better culture.
Help Available
If you were a scholarship holder at the Australian Institute of Sport, you may also be eligible to participate in the Australian Sports Commission(ASC) Restorative Program. Additionally, if you need mental health support, you can seek assistance via the AIS Mental Health Referral Network.
If you or someone you know has been affected by similar experiences at the AIS which has caused permanent harm, please reach out to us. We are here to support you and ensure your voice is heard and you are fully informed of your rights to access counselling, or other options available to you to seek reparation payments or compensation.
Call us at 1800 940 693 for a confidential consultation.