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Flying High: Flynn Leslie’s Volleyball Journey from School Courts to the AIS

What began as a school volleyball game in 2022 has turned into a remarkable journey. Now a full-time athlete at the Australian Volleyball Academy at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Flynn’s rise through the ranks is nothing short of inspiring.

It all started in Year 10, when Flynn participated in a school PE volleyball round robin. Recognising his height and passion, Head of Sport Deb Gardner encouraged him to trial for the school’s Firsts volleyball team. With the support of two friends already on the team, Flynn accepted the challenge and proudly earned his place, thrilled to wear the Firsts badge.

That same year, he also began training with the Junior Mornington Volleyball Club to build on his skills. His enthusiasm and commitment were evident, and 2023 saw him continue with the Firsts team, earning a Merit Award for his contributions. It was also the year Flynn’s talents caught the attention of recruiters at the Victorian State Team trials. Flynn’s performance stood out — not only to state selectors, but to a scout from the Australian National Development Program (NDP), a prestigious program run by Volleyball Australia for athletes with potential to perform on the national and international stage.

Flynn embraced the opportunity, attending elite National Development Program training camps throughout the year while also beginning professional training with the Greater Melbourne Volleyball Academy (GMVA). He was selected for a Thailand tour with the National Performance Program, representing Australia against local teams, and was invited to join the senior men’s team at Mornington Volleyball Club, competing in the Premier 2 League.

In 2023/24 volleyball season, Flynn’s leadership continued to shine as he captained the Peninsula Grammar Firsts team. His outstanding contributions were recognised with Full Colours for Volleyball. He was selected to play for the AGSV team against the APS and continued his involvement with the National Performance Program, travelling around Australia to attend camps and competitions. That year, Flynn was invited to tour Taiwan with the Australian Volleyball Academy and was also offered a spot on their Europe tour — significant acknowledgements of his growing skill and dedication.

Whilst completing year 12, Flynn was offered a full-time position at the Australian Volleyball Academy, based at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra — a dream come true for any young athlete. In 2025, Flynn relocated to the Australian Institute of Sport, joining the nation’s top volleyball prospects in a high-performance training environment. Most recently, he was selected for the Victorian Under-21 State Team to compete at the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships in Adelaide, where his team claimed first place and a gold medal.

While based in Canberra, Flynn’s exceptional progress earned him the opportunity to join the Senior Volleyroos training squad — the national men’s volleyball team — as they prepared for the Asian Volleyball Cup, held in Bahrain. This selection marks an incredible step forward in Flynn’s volleyball journey, placing him among the country’s top senior athletes.

Flynn’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved with commitment, courage, and the support of a strong school and sporting community. From the courts of Peninsula Grammar to international competition, Flynn is living proof that big dreams can take flight — starting right here at school.

Thank you for supporting me along the way.

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Flynn Leslie

Class of 2024

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