Beach Volleyballer Champ Jarrah Brownhill wins silver representing Australia for the first time

Week three Uni hasn’t managed to bog down Bachelor of Education student Jarrah Brownhill, who soared to new heights on Monday when he placed second representing Australia at the 2019 Asia U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Thailand.

Jarrah and his partner Ky Landers only had four days of training together in preparation for the tournament, after Jarrah’s original partner had to pull out due to injury. The two were an unconventional pair, both being shorter defenders, but exceeded expectations in their first time representing the country together.

The Aussies had a convincing recovery after losing their first match against China on March 15.

Jarrah described the experience as “surreal”

“It wasn’t an ideal situation, but we made the best of it,” he said.

“To be able to place second in the Asia Champs with such minimal training was a dream come true.”

The pair lost their first match against China, but won all their subsequent games, including defeating the number one ranked Australian team before facing Thailand in the gold medal match, which they lost 21-15, 21-15.

Jarrah (second from left) said the Aussies received a lot of support from home, with live screenings of the event being broadcast on several online platforms, and on Thai TV networks. 

“Thailand were just phenomenal,” Jarrah said.

“It was their home ground, they’ve been training together since 2016… [the odds] were definitely against us.”

Jarrah is back at Uni after arriving home in Melbourne last night, and is hoping for selection to compete in the U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships in June.


Written by Nell O'Shea Carre - Media Coordinator