Term 2 2012 - Maribyrnong Sports Academy @ Maribyrnong College

COACHING SUCCESS TO ARTHUR PAPAS
We pleased to announce that head of our Soccer program, Arthur Papas has been oered a very exciting opportunity as Head
Coach of the Indian U22/23 team. Arthur, who has been involved in our program for many years as Head Coach and Technical
Director, he has enjoyed many coaching opportunities in Australia and this oer is a tremendous vote of condence in Arthur’s
professionalism and commitment to the game.
Though just 32, Arthur has been highly regarded for his tactical acumen and no-nonsense attitude. After a couple of training
sessions with India’s U22 squad, Arthur spoke to the media in India, about his coaching philosophy and India’s Chances at the U-22
Asian Cup Qualiers. Here is an excerpt from this interview:
How has your Indian experience been so far?
I must say it has been pleasant experience so far. All the people I have been in contact with have been very warm towards me and
this has helped me in settling down fast. I’m trying to embrace the culture as much as possible in all areas. It is very important for
me to adjust to the Indian culture. It gives me the best opportunity to deliver my level of expertise to Indian football.
SOCCER & HOCKEY FIELDS
The much anticipated opening of our new $6M synthetic elds for football, hockey and athletics is very close and is
creating quite a buzz amongst students, sta and the community. The rst stage to be released for school use will
be the FIFA approved football pitch which will be available to student athletes from week one of Term 3 for Technical
training, followed by wider use for PE and lunchtimes as building activity winds down and the site is fully handed back
to the school. It was exciting to see the installation of the goals and nets recently which really brings the pitch to life.
The pitch is one of the most technologically advanced in Australia and has shock pads installed beneath the synthetic
surface as well as the granulated rubber inll between the grass bres to reduce impact on players. The hockey pitch
uses the new EVOPRO technology for the surface and is the rst of its kind in Australia. The hockey pitch will be
surrounded by a synthetic athletics warm up track and jumps pits. It should be ready for use in August this year.
The lighting system is also very advanced with six
30m towers illuminating each pitch. The lighting
systems are capable of dual settings - one for
training and one for competition. The soccer pitch
can be illuminated to 350 lux while the lighting
for hockey is 500 lux at competition levels.
Facilities for Beach Volleyball, Shot Putt, High Jump
and Cricket have also been commenced and the area
surrounding the pitches will be fully landscaped
with synthetic grass as well.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT & SPORTING EXCELLENCE
In terms of football we have much work to do. It's about introducing a new style of
football and to do this you need have a view of long term development plan that ts in
with such a change in philosophy.
In the short term we will work diligently, with high levels of enthusiasm and an aim in
the long term to improve the standings of India in the World Rankings. It requires
patience from all involved.
We wish Arthur every success and look forward to hearing of his experiences, on his
return to Australia. He will stay on as the Technical Director of our football program and
will continue to work with our student athletes and coaching sta each term.
Maribyrnong Sports Academy