The Beach Volleyball World Championships set to take place in Adelaide, Australia, this November have become the center of a heated international debate after Dutch Olympian Steven van de Velde was denied entry due to his criminal record. The decision, confirmed by Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on October 28, 2025, has not only sidelined van de Velde but also his teammate Alexander Brouwer, forcing the Dutch team to withdraw from the highly anticipated event.
Van de Velde, now 31, was convicted in 2016 in the United Kingdom for the rape of a 12-year-old girl. The incident occurred in 2014 when van de Velde, then 19, contacted his victim via social media and traveled from the Netherlands to the UK, where the assault took place in Milton Keynes. He later admitted to three charges of rape at Aylesbury Crown Court and was sentenced to four years in prison, serving 13 months before his release. In 2018, he resumed his professional volleyball career, a move that has remained controversial throughout his return to the sport.
The Australian government’s refusal came as the championships—billed as the biggest beach volleyball event in the world this year—approached their November 14 start date. Minister Tony Burke was unequivocal in his reasoning, stating, “The government will continue to use every tool we have available to ensure that Australians can be safe and feel safe in their communities.” This sentiment was echoed by South Australian Attorney General Kyam Maher, who had previously urged the federal government to deny van de Velde’s visa, describing his offense as “utterly abhorrent.” In a letter to federal officials, Maher wrote, “It is my view, and that of the South Australian government, that Mr Van de Velde should not be granted a visa. This individual’s offending is utterly abhorrent, and we do not believe that foreign child sex offenders should be granted entry to this country.”
Van de Velde, for his part, appeared resigned to the outcome. In a statement released through the Dutch Volleyball Association, he said, “We took into account that the combination of the policies of the Australian authorities and my past might pose a problem for obtaining a visa. This outcome is not only accepted by me, but also by the rest of the team.” The Dutch Volleyball Association’s technical director, Heleen Crielaard, also expressed regret but acknowledged the finality of the decision: “For this application, we have attached all the documents requested by the Australian authorities and substantiated why we think he should be able to play the World Cup in Australia. Unfortunately, we have now been told that it has been decided not to issue the visa. We think that’s a shame, but we have no choice but to accept the decision.”
Van de Velde’s exclusion has not gone unnoticed by the volleyball community and the public. An online petition calling for his visa denial garnered over 4,000 signatures, reflecting widespread concern and outrage. Advocates for victims of sexual violence, politicians, and fans alike had called for his ban from international competition even before his Olympic debut. Last year, van de Velde represented the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics, where he and his teammate Matthew Immers managed only one win out of four matches. Despite the controversy, the International Olympic Committee stated it was powerless to prevent the Netherlands from sending a qualified athlete, as van de Velde had met all the requirements for participation.
Yet the Paris Games were not without incident for van de Velde. He was met with boos and jeers from the crowd, a stark reminder that forgiveness and acceptance remain elusive for many observers. Just two weeks after the Olympics, van de Velde and Immers rebounded to capture a bronze medal at the 2024 European Beach Volleyball Championships in the Netherlands—a result that reignited debate over his continued presence in the sport.
The ripple effect of Australia’s decision has been significant. Because beach volleyball is played in pairs, van de Velde’s ban automatically disqualifies his partner, Alexander Brouwer, from competing. The Dutch team’s absence is a blow to the competition and a disappointment for fans hoping to see top-tier talent on the sand in Adelaide.
Volleyball Australia’s chief executive, Andrew Dee, only learned of the government’s decision on the morning of October 28. He emphasized the organization’s intention to move forward, stating, “As the local organizing committee, our focus remains on ensuring we deliver a spectacular world championships. It will be the biggest beach volleyball event in the world this year and the first time we will have nine Aussie teams proudly wearing the green and gold. That is what we all should now focus on and celebrate.”
Australia’s so-called “character test” has been at the heart of several recent high-profile visa denials. The law grants authorities broad discretion to refuse entry to individuals with criminal convictions or those deemed likely to incite discord. Just weeks prior to van de Velde’s case, the High Court of Australia upheld a visa ban for U.S. commentator Candace Owens, citing concerns she could incite community discord. Home Affairs Minister Burke also revoked a visa for rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) in May 2025, following the release of a controversial song.
The van de Velde case has reignited debate about the intersection of sports, morality, and public safety. Some argue that athletes who have served their sentences deserve a chance at redemption, while others insist that certain crimes—especially those involving children—should result in permanent exclusion from international competition. The Dutch Volleyball Association, for its part, maintains that it complied fully with all application requirements and that van de Velde’s right to compete has been recognized by other sporting bodies. Yet the Australian government’s stance is clear: community safety comes first.
As the Beach Volleyball World Championships draw near, the focus now shifts to the athletes who will take the court in Adelaide. With nine Australian teams set to compete and the world’s attention on the event, organizers are determined to showcase the best of the sport while upholding the country’s commitment to safety and integrity. For van de Velde and his supporters, the disappointment is palpable, but the message from Australian authorities leaves little room for ambiguity.
The world will be watching as the tournament unfolds, but the absence of the Dutch team serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of actions taken off the court. For now, the sands of Adelaide will host a championship shaped as much by policy and principle as by athletic prowess.
