In a decisive move, Australia has barred Steven van de Velde, a volleyball player with a criminal past, from entering the country for an upcoming competition. Van de Velde, who was convicted of child rape, had planned to participate in the Beach Volleyball World Championships scheduled in Adelaide on November 14.
However, a review of his circumstances led to the rejection of his visa application, citing ‘character grounds’ as the basis for the decision. This move reflects a strong stance by Australian authorities to uphold strict entry criteria, particularly concerning individuals with serious criminal records.
Van de Velde’s troubling past dates back to when he was 19 years old. He initiated contact with a schoolgirl via social media and traveled to England to meet her in person. The girl, deceiving her family by claiming she was visiting a friend, secretly went out to meet him.
Their encounter took a concerning turn when they unsuccessfully attempted to book a hotel room. Instead, they ended up at Furzton Lake, where under the influence of alcohol, the girl engaged in a sexual act with him. This incident culminated in Van de Velde’s conviction and continues to influence his ability to participate in international events.
The girl told her family she was staying with a friend and snuck out to try and book a hotel with the volleyballer.
When they couldn’t find a room, they went to Furzton Lake in the town, where they drank Baileys and she performed a sex act on him.
The following day, after the pair slept in cardboard boxes under a stairway at a Premier Inn, having again been unable to book a room, she took him to her empty house and he took her virginity.
Volleyball player Steven van de Velde has been banned from entering Australia to compete at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide on November 14
Van de Velde addresses media representatives during a press conference at the European Beach Volleyball Championships in The Hague in 2024
Prosecutor Sandra Beck told the court at the time that Van de Velde had spoken regularly with the girl on Facebook, and that he made her ‘feel special’.
‘She certainly made it clear she was seven years younger than him,’ she said.
‘This relationship over social media was taking place over a period of time.’
After serving part of his sentence in Britain, Van de Velde was transferred to the Netherlands and his sentence was adjusted to the norms of Dutch law.
Van de Velde was released from jail in 2017 after serving 13 months. He made a comeback to volleyball and competed in the 2024 Olympics.
Van de Velde previously lashed out at those who branded him a paedophile and called the incident ‘the worst mistake of my life’.
‘I do want to correct all the nonsense that has been written about me when I was locked up,’ he said.
‘I did not read any of it, on purpose, but I understand that it was quite bad, that I have been branded as a sex monster, as a paedophile. That I am not – really not.’
Van de Velde competed at the 2024 Olympics in Paris but will be banned from competing in Australia
The ban comes after South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas voiced his outrage at the prospect of a convicted child rapist being allowed to compete in Adelaide.
‘We do not believe that any sex offender who has been convicted of a serious crime should be allowed into our country,’ Malinauskas said.
The SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher wrote to the federal government, urging it to ban the Dutch player from entering Australia.
In a letter to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, 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.’
A Volleyball Australia (VA) spokesperson said the governing body is not involved in deciding the eligibility of competitors for the World Championships, which is the responsibility of the International Volleyball Federation.
The Netherlands’ Olympic committee, which selected Van de Velde, said in a statement that he had served his sentence, completed a rehabilitation program and experts said there was no risk of him reoffending.
A Change.org petition seeking to have the volleyballer banned from competing in Australia has attracted thousands of signatures.
‘Sporting, or any, talent does not override disgusting behaviour. A predator does not deserve opportunities or platforms as a reward,’ one person wrote.
