Young volleyballer to compete against the nation’s best

by PATRICK McALARY
10th August 2026

JOE KNEEBONE is a 16-year-old resident of North Warrandyte.
During his younger years, he was introduced to volleyball at Warrandyte Primary School by PE teacher Sally Freemantle.
It was here that Joe first discovered the world of Volleyball, and where he realised he had a strong talent for it.
Joe joined the Manningham Volleyball skills sessions at Mullum Mullum Stadium on Sunday afternoons when he was in Grade 5 and continued to play inter-school volleyball at Blackburn High School.
A school friend asked Joe to play with him in the Victorian School Beach Volleyball Championships in Year 8, and they won the competition.
Joe plays State League volleyball for the La Trobe University Premier 2 team as a setter.
They then went on to play in the National Schools Beach Volleyball Competition that year in Queensland.
This opportunity opened up a whole other level of volleyball for Joe.
Later that year, Joe made the State indoor volleyball team and made both the Victorian Indoor and Beach Volleyball teams each year since.
Making a sport squad for your state is truly an impressive feat.
When reflecting on the achievement, he said, “It was really exciting to be named for the first team, especially after being injured the year before; it was really special.

“Being named captain of a Vic squad, that’s also something I’m really proud of myself for.”

Last summer Joe was invited to participate in a National Performance Program camp in Adelaide for beach volleyball.
This year Joe was named Squad Captain for the entire Under-18 beach volleyball State team (U14—U18) for the National tournament on the Gold Coast in March, recognising his leadership skills and passion for the sport, care for his peers, and respect for umpires and coaches.
He and his partner Finn Langfeldt came 5th in Australia out of 36 teams.
Joe is clearly a very talented player in both beach and court volleyball.
When asked what he believes his biggest strengths are, he said: “Definitely my running on sand, both with speed and power.

“Beach volleyball is only two players a team, so there is more ground to cover, and covering the ground in sand is difficult, but when I was younger, I did a lot of lifesaving, so the running on sand wasn’t too difficult for me”.

Joe has recently been selected for the U18 Victorian indoor Blue team (the 1st team) and will compete in Perth in September.
This is where Joe will compete against the nation’s best young Volleyballers, in hopes that he can help lead Victoria to a championship victory.

“My hope is definitely to win gold; we have a really strong squad, and to bring it home, after winning silver previously, would be awesome”.

When Joe completed school, he stated his ambition of one day becoming a professional volleyball player and hoped to play in tournaments all around the world.

“There are domestic tournaments, then of course the senior Australian tour tournaments, then the governing body for global Volleyball runs beach volleyball tournaments, some challenges, and then if people do well, then ‘Pro-Tour’.
That’s very much the goal; it would be a dream.
I’ve had a strong passion for volleyball since I was in Grade 5.
I have had the opportunity to watch and meet some pro-level players, and they have given me tips and methods to help me improve.
It’s just something I’d love to do”.

Joe would like to acknowledge and thank the Warrandyte Riverside Market Committee and the Rotary Club Warrandyte for providing financial support through grants that help cover his travel expenses.