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Australian volleyball player Thomas Heptinstall is optimistic about the future of Indian volleyball. The 25-year-old was a standout performer for Bengaluru Torpedoes in Prime Volleyball League (PVL) Season 3. Heptinstall concluded the season with a remarkable total of 105 points, making him the eighth-best attacker overall with 83 attack points. Notably, he was the second-best overseas attacker.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Heptinstall shared his thoughts on a variety of topics, from the challenges of playing different sports, and the future of Australian and Indian volleyball teams, to his experiences in the PVL.
He spoke candidly about how he first got into volleyball, why he chose it over other sports, and what keeps him motivated in his career. He also praised the supportive atmosphere at Bengaluru Torpedoes and discussed the possibilities of Australia’s and India’s volleyball teams making it to the Olympics.
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Here’s what Thomas Heptinstall had to say:
Q: You have played multiple sports in your career, including volleyball, basketball, cricket, and tennis. Which sport was the most challenging for you?
A: The most challenging sport I’ve played is volleyball because I’ve pursued it at a high level, unlike the other sports, which I played more at a beginner level. Basketball is similar, as I played it for about ten years, and it certainly came with its own challenges.
However, volleyball being the sport I’ve played the longest at a competitive level, presents a different kind of difficulty. You travel to different countries, experience various cultures, and often play back-to-back matches for a week. It’s physically and mentally demanding, making it a tough sport.
Q: It’s been a few years since Australia has competed in volleyball at the Olympics. How soon do you think we’ll see Australia qualify again?
A: It has been a while since we last qualified for the Olympics. We've had opportunities but we haven’t been able to scrape through. I think we’ll have a chance for the 2028 Olympics, but for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, being the host nation, it’s a definite.
Q: Do you see the Australian volleyball team securing a podium finish anytime soon?
A: I believe we have a strong group of players coming through, and with the right leadership, we are moving in the right direction toward a podium finish. Right now, I don’t think we’re quite there yet, but with the mindset and the team we have developing, I can definitely see us achieving that goal within the next 10 years.
Q: How soon do you think the Indian volleyball team will make it to the Olympics?
A: In terms of skill level and mindset, I see the Indian team becoming a contender for the Olympics in the near future. I’m not sure exactly when it will happen, but they are definitely on the right track.
Q: How has your experience been playing in the Prime Volleyball League?
A: My experience in the Prime Volleyball League has been better than I expected. The Bengaluru team has been incredibly supportive. Once the games started, the energy and atmosphere inside the arena were far beyond what I anticipated. I had a lot of fun playing in the league and it was a great experience.
Q: How did you get into volleyball?
A: I got into volleyball because my parents played Indoor Beach Volleyball. I used to watch them when I was younger and decided to give it a try through the available training programs. It just stuck with me, and since then, I’ve been playing volleyball since the age of 12.
Q: Having played multiple sports, why did you choose to pursue a volleyball career?
A: I believe everyone has a sport that they are drawn to. I think volleyball was that for me. It drew me in, and it was so interesting to me. I loved to play and never got sick of it. I did have to choose between basketball and volleyball at some point because I believed I could make a career in both. But volleyball was more fun and fulfilling for me, so I chose it because it became a passion for me.
