An 18-member delegation from Australia's NSW Phoenix men's volleyball team took part in China-Australia Program for Youth Exchange's sports exchange event in Guangzhou, from Aug 19 to 23.

The athletes visited the Haixinsha Omni-Space Intelligent Experience Center, where they observed unmanned aerial vehicles up close and participated in interactive experiences featuring extended reality immersive games and other cutting-edge technologies. 

A team member is trying out tech products. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

Robert Murdoch, captain of NSW Phoenix men's volleyball team, said that introducing AI‑powered robots to simulate players' movements will make training more intuitive and quantifiable. VR headsets, on the other hand, can allow athletes to gain an immersive view of ball trajectories, helping them improve ball‑tracking skills and tactical analysis in a major way.

At the "Haoyi Tianhe" Integrated Service Center, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of the district's innovative service model for international community governance.

The delegation at Haoyi Tianhe Service Center. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

Nicholas Thorpe, member of the volleyball team, gave the center high marks, as it has hosted a wealth of international events that enable people from diverse countries and regions to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Its open-minded, inclusive and people-centered, which are oriented toward the global community, showcase the city's international appeal and human warmth.

Of note, the year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Guangzhou and Sydney. Utilizing this platform, the two cities have continued to deepen practical cooperation across multiple sectors and give steady reinforcement to the foundation of people-to-people friendship.