Sports28 October, 20252 min read
Australia Bans Dutch Olympian Steven Van De Velde From World Championships Over Child Rape Conviction
Steven van de Velde was convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl in the UK. Australia denied van de Velde a visa to compete in the 2024 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
24 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Tonda Eckert Keeps Southampton Job After Six-Week Suspended Ban Over Spygate →
Athlete Visa Denial Over Conviction
Australia has denied a visa to Dutch Olympian Steven van de Velde. This decision bars him from participating in the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide starting November 14. The visa denial is based on his child sexual abuse conviction, which raised concerns about community safety.
“The Australian government has denied entry to Dutch beach-volleyball player Steven van de Velde, a convicted child rapist, preventing him from competing in the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide.”
Multiple news outlets have confirmed the ban and the event details. There is some discrepancy regarding the year of the conviction, with some sources reporting 2016 in the UK and others stating 2014. Several sources emphasize that the decision was made due to his criminal record and the priority of public safety.
Visa Refusal and Public Response
Political pressure and public backlash preceded the decision. South Australia’s Attorney‑General Kyam Maher urged the federal government to refuse the visa. Petitions gathered thousands of signatures, with some sources providing more precise figures.
The federal Department of Home Affairs declined to comment publicly. Other coverage describes the refusal as a community‑safety measure in response to concerns about admitting foreign child sex offenders.
Volleyball Visa and Reactions
The decision also affects van de Velde’s teammate Alexander Brouwer and has drawn responses from Dutch and Australian volleyball bodies. The Dutch association (Nevobo) accepted the visa refusal, and Brouwer said his season is now over.
“Consequently, Van de Velde and his doubles partner Alexander Brouwer will not participate in the championships starting November 14. Brouwer expressed disappointment on social media, noting his season is now over. The Dutch volleyball association confirmed acceptance of the visa decision.”
Australian outlets highlight that Volleyball Australia refocused on the championships, noting nine home teams. Some reports mention the federation’s surprise at the timing of the visa decision.
Van de Velde's Career and Conviction
Reporting diverges on elements of van de Velde’s criminal history and career timeline. Several outlets say he was convicted in the UK in 2016 and served about a year, while others state the offense was in 2014 and note a 13‑month served term.
Coverage also highlights he returned to elite sport by 2018 and competed at the Paris Olympics, drawing criticism. Some local outlets add his European medal results, expanding on his recent form.
Media Naming and Visa Issues
Policy framing and even basic naming differ across outlets. Some local Western reports refer to “Alexander van de Velde,” while most Western mainstream and Asian sources correctly name him Steven.
“The Australian government has banned Dutch beach volleyball player Alexander van de Velde from entering the country due to his criminal past, which includes a 2014 conviction for rape.”
Several local and “Other” outlets link the refusal to Australia’s strict visa “character test,” sometimes citing other public figures barred on community‑safety grounds. Others attribute the decision to ministerial responsibility or note that officials did not comment.
