Volleyball Australia Appoints Anita Palm as President
Palm becomes the first female president of Volleyball Australia, succeeding Craig Carracher AM, who remains on the board.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Volleyball
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Volleyball Australia appointed Anita Palm as its first female president following its Annual General Meeting. Palm has served as vice president since 2013 and succeeds Craig Carracher AM, who stepped down from the presidency but remains on the Volleyball Australia Board.
Why it matters
The appointment places a former Olympian with more than 20 years of executive sports management experience at the head of the national governing body. Palm's presidency is expected to guide the organisation through a strategic growth phase leading into the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic cycles.
The appointment follows Palm's 2013 start as vice president and her 1996 Olympic participation, with over 20 years of executive sports management experience. Details of her specific priorities for the national body were not outlined in the source.
The players
Anita Palm
Palm is a 1996 Olympian and former athlete who has spent more than 20 years in executive sports management and now leads Volleyball Australia.
Craig Carracher AM
Carracher stepped down as Volleyball Australia president and remains on the board, having led the national body's governance during his tenure.
Volleyball Australia
Volleyball Australia is the national governing body for volleyball in Australia, overseeing elite and grassroots programmes across the country.
The details
Palm was appointed at Volleyball Australia's Annual General Meeting, succeeding Craig Carracher AM, who stepped down from the presidency. Palm is also executive director of games coordination in the Queensland Government's Olympic and Paralympic Games Office, and the board also welcomed Jane Ballantyne and Simone Waugh as Appointed Directors.
Timeline
2012: Mal Borgeaud joins the Volleyball Australia Board.
2013: Anita Palm begins serving as vice president.
2025: Australia hosts the World Beach Volleyball Championships in Adelaide.
2028: Men's and women's Beach Volleyball athletes are selected for the Los Angeles Games.
2032: The Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games are scheduled.
Roadmap
The leadership change positions Volleyball Australia to prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which Queensland is hosting. Palm's background in Queensland's Olympic and Paralympic Games Office links the national body's planning directly to that Games programme.
The leadership change may shape how the national programme is run as Australia prepares for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games. Fans and participants should watch for announcements on selection and programme priorities from the new presidency.
The takeaway
Leadership renewal at the national level often sets the direction for elite programmes years before a major Games. Palm's combination of Olympic experience and governance background suggests a focus on long-term development.
Further reading
Explore more Volleyball coverage from across Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ministry of Sport.
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