Dutch Volleyball Player Denied Entry to Australia Due to Past Conviction
In a significant decision, Australian authorities have denied entry to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who has a troubling criminal history. This ruling comes ahead of the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide next month. The Australian government cited the "abhorrent nature" of van de Velde’s past crimes as the primary reason for rejecting his visa application.
At 31 years old, van de Velde was convicted in the UK in 2016 after pleading guilty to three counts of raping a 12-year-old girl in Milton Keynes. These heinous acts took place in 2014 when he was just 21. According to court documents, van de Velde met the victim through Facebook, traveled from Amsterdam to the UK, and assaulted her in her home before returning to the Netherlands. Following a two-year investigation and extradition process, he faced trial in the UK, where it was revealed that he was fully aware of the child’s age during the offenses. He received a four-year prison sentence but was released after serving just 12 months.
South Australia’s Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, has been vocal in condemning any plans to allow van de Velde into the country. In a formal letter, he urged the federal government to take a firm stance against admitting foreign child sex offenders, describing the crimes as "utterly abhorrent." He emphasized that this decision aligns with the state’s zero-tolerance policy regarding offenses against minors.
Van de Velde’s return to professional volleyball in 2018, following his release, has been met with significant controversy. Despite representing the Netherlands in various international tournaments, his participation has sparked public outcry. During the Paris Olympics last year, many in the crowd booed him, and a petition demanding his exclusion from the Games garnered over 90,000 signatures. In interviews with Dutch media, van de Velde has claimed he is being unfairly targeted and bullied, arguing that the coverage of his criminal history is unjust.
He expressed his determination not to let others dictate his career, stating, “I’m not going to give others the power to decide that they can bully me away or get rid of me.” However, he has also considered stepping back from competitions, including the upcoming 2024 Paris Games.
In a poignant interview, van de Velde acknowledged his past mistakes, stating, “I did something wrong ten years ago. I have to accept that.” He expressed concern about the impact of his actions on his family, saying, “Hurting people around me—whether it’s my family or my child—that just goes too far for me.”
While some in the Dutch sports community defend his right to compete, arguing that he has served his time, critics maintain that his presence in international athletics undermines public trust and the integrity of the sport. In a statement released through the Netherlands Volleyball Federation before the Paris Olympics, he remarked, “I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences. It has been the biggest mistake of my life.”
Now married with a young son, van de Velde insists he has changed since his conviction. Nevertheless, Australian authorities have made it clear that his past actions disqualify him from entering the country, ensuring he will not participate in next month’s championship event.
