Friendship ties at primary school helped forge a budding volleyball career that has already seen this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star play for Australia.
Denise Chan only started her volleyball career in 2021 because her school friends enjoyed playing.
I tried many different sports including gymnastics, dancing, swimming, soccer and table tennis because my dad played it. Only one took my passion.”
Chan started playing competition in 2022 with Western Region Volleyball on a Friday night in a social competition, gaining immediate recognition.
She quickly made her first state team.
“I played for the Victorian state team in 2022 and 2023, in the under-14 and under-15 White team,” she said.
“In 2022, I trialled late as an emergency due to a few players being unable to play and luckily made the team and ended up as the team most valuable player.
“In 2023 I was the captain and awarded MVP of the white team again.”
It was while playing in that team Chan was exposed to better players and began her journey on the elite pathway in Australian Volleyball.
In 2024, she had a breakout year.
She trialled for the School Sport Victoria volleyball team and made the squad.
Following that national tournament she was selected in the All Schools Australian team.
She was selected in the Volleyball Victoria under-16 blue team and was made vice-captain.
Chan was awarded MVP in her side’s gold medal winning performance.
While success came quickly, Chan kept things simple and is very grateful for all the opportunities that come her way.
After competing in the 2023 Australian Youth Volleyball Championships as the team captain and MVP, she attended an Australian volleyball camp in late 2023 for young aspiring volleyball players.
“The next thing I know I getting an email saying I’d made the under-16 Australian team to play in Thailand. I didn’t even know they were scouting for that team,” she said.
“While I knew most of the girls from playing against them at the under-16 Australian Championships we had never played together in a tournament until we arrived in Thailand. “We all quickly gave ourselves to the team, I had to learn a new role when one of our players took ill.
“While we didn’t reach the ultimate success in that competition it taught us all so much about the game and what it takes to be the best.”
Chan returned from Thailand with a sore back but then continued to play back-to-back tournaments.
Sadly, that took its toll and she had to withdraw from playing in 2025 to be able to rehabilitate her injury.
Chan has thrown herself into her rehab.
“One saving grace is that I attend Maribyrnong Sports Academy which allows me to rehab at school with strength and conditioning staff.”
She undertakes five sessions a week which all involve strengthening her back and whole-body movement.
Chan said her strengths are her composure and ability to play any role required
“Also my leadership skills which I suppose is helped by my composure,” she said.
When asked about her sporting heroes, Chan went quiet, before saying, “my dad, Ivan just ran his first marathon last weekend in Melbourne, he is my hero!”
What does the future look like for Chan? “
“My dream is to represent Australia at the Olympics in volleyball,” she said.
“I would like to pursue my career by getting into college in America playing sports and pursuing my academic goals.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
