Victoria’s only government funded school sports academy will open the door for more students through the introduction of 26 new scholarships in 2025.
Maribyrnong Sports Academy usually has a substantial intake of students in year 7, with only a very small number of scholarships available for students in the higher grades each year.
From this year, the academy is offering 26 scholarships which will be awarded to athletes going into year 9 in 2025.
The academy provides a genuine performance environment for student-athletes to thrive in both sport and education, and achieve their dream to compete at an elite level.
Sports Director Mark McAllion said it was an opportunity to bring in more athletes at an age when their talent and potential for an elite pathway is more evident.
“Obviously with talent ID, it’s difficult at age 11 and 12,” he said.
“So an actual couple of extra years, gives us more information to make better informed decisions on the students that are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to come here on scholarship.
“So what we’ve been able to do is open up a whole class of year 9… It’s really exciting.”
The academy has coaching for 14 different sports and also accepts athletes from outside of those sports.
The program includes high performance coaching, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and injury management, performance psychology, nutrition, and academic and personal mentoring.
Assistant Principal Tayatea Mackenzie said they normally get about 300 applications for year 7, while they might have another 200-300 applicants for any open gaps across the rest of the year levels.
There will be no limit on how many students there are per sport in the new group, with selection based on the best athletes and then meeting academic and character criteria.
Mr McAllion said in some sports the junior pathway hasn’t started by the time children are ready to start secondary school and some haven’t found their talent.
He said it also gives an opportunity to those interested who had missed out in year 7 to apply again.
Ms Mackenzie said that of the students who do come in later, their talent wasn’t always recognised at age 11 or 12. She added that previously, the academy hadn’t been able to award scholarships to some excellent applicants, due to lack of space. “We’re really excited to be able to increase the opportunities for a new cohort of student-athletes”.
Past students to join the academy in year 9 include Port Adelaide star Zac Butters, A-League player Seb Pasquali, Olympic badminton player Gronya Somerville, world championship hurdler Celeste Mucci and Reba Stewart, who represented Australia at the Olympics in taekwondo.
Ms Mackenzie said the academy has a target to award 50 per cent of all scholarships to female student-athletes. “We’re really committed to supporting female athletes to fulfil their potential.”
Mr McAllion said the environment is an individual development model.
“It’s not about winning school championships with the kids we bring in here. It’s actually about how we coach, train and mentor each athlete to reach their highest level.”
Applications for year 9 in 2025 are now open.
