SPORTS DIRECTOR'S REPORT - Maribyrnong Sports Academy ...

H o c k e y
APRIL 2011
Term 1 has seen the hockey program begin with 17 students
participating as a part of the Sports Academy, varying in ages from
Yr 8 through to Yr 12. The group is still currently training at the
Footscray Hockey Centre, however we are all very much excited
about being able to be conducting our technical sessions at
Maribyrnong’s very own synthetic hockey field at the school.
The athletes have undertaken a pre-season style program that has
focussed on the core skills of passing, receiving, tackling and oneon-one
eliminations. A number of the athletes are training and
playing with their clubs in both junior and senior ranks, providing
them with a great foundation on which to continue their skill
development in all of these areas.
As we will soon start to look towards Term 2, the athletes will then
be busily into their club junior and senior competition games and
our focus will turn to the knowledge
S o c c e r
Maribyrnong Sports Academy Soccer Program strengthened its
program across many levels in 2011 with strong additions and
achievements from staff and athletes.
Firstly the program received a massive boost when it welcomed
back former technical coach Arthur Papas. Arthur departed
the program in 2009 after receiving the AIS Men’s Football
Scholarship coach position at which he was based in Canberra
for over 18 months. Upon returning Arthur has been appointed
as the program’s Technical Director and he will oversee the future
direction of the program and use his experiences working at the
AIS and with Australian Youth teams to ensure the soccer studentathletes
at Maribyrnong receive the latest training methods.
The Soccer Program has added its first Female Technical Coach.
Amy Jackson joined the program this year having returned
to Australia after completing a three-year degree in Sports
Management, which was fully funded by Florida State University
after Amy’s achievements with the Australian U20 team at the
2006 World Youth Cup. Amy’s role will be to coach & forge close
links with the program’s female soccer athletes whilst sharing her
experiences in playing at the elite level to further develop the
program’s female starlets.
One very special achievement was awarded to Zoe Stamatopoulos
who returned from injury in 2010 to receive a Victorian National
Training Centre scholarship from the states governing body FFV.
This is a very significant achievement for Zoe as she endured a
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT & SPORTING EXCELLENCE
and understanding of match play situations. A big focus of
the program is to provide the athletes with the knowledge
and understanding of a vast variety of situations that they will
encounter in a game of hockey, and subsequently how they can
best succeed in these situations. The students aren’t training to be
robots, but to have the ability to think and reason, and make split
second decisions in their match situations.
In the Easter break, Sarah Breen will be representing Victoria in the
Under 18 National Championships in Brisbane and we wish her all
the very best for that tournament. The majority of other students
will be moving through the regional and state selection processes
later in the year and we look forward to seeing their progression
and development as each of these steps take place.
Andrew Smith
Hockey Coach
very difficult 2010 after suffering a serious injury. Zoe’s resilience,
dedication to her rehabilitation and desire are trademarks of her
character and the Maribyrnong Soccer program is proud to have
Zoe represent the female component of the program.
Over to the male side of the program and the school welcomed
back it’s first ever AIS graduate in Melvin Becket. Melvin re-joins
the program after a successful 12 months based in Canberra in
order to complete his VCE studies at Maribyrnong and continue
his education both formal and within the soccer program. Further
to Melvin’s return the program added another athlete who
possesses a high pedigree in Jeremy Walker. Jeremy joins the
program from the Tasmanian Institute of Sport where he was a
full-time scholarship holder for two years, in addition to joining
the program Jeremy has also signed with Victorian Premier League
team Oakleigh Cannons for 2011.
Most importantly and in line with the program’s strong ideals in
developing not only talented athletes but also positive leaders.
Maribyrnong Soccer Program’s Angelo Fusca was this year elected
as a 2011 school captain. Angelo has been a valued member of
the program for some time now and is regarded by the program’s
staff as an exemplary role model who epitomizes the values and
characteristics of what the student-athlete is all about.
Arthur Papas
Soccer Coach
Maribyrnong Sports Academy