Inside the Gates: Heathmont College
Across the next few editions of the Gazette, we’re going to be unpacking and celebrating some of the awesome things happening here at the College, with the help of the staff who are heavily involved.
In this edition of Inside the Gates, the Gazette team sat down with Brian Vaughnsto explore his work in leading the Sports Academy at Heathmont College.
Brian, thanks for sitting down for a chat. In your time in charge of the Sports Academy, how have you seen the program develop over the years?
When I became the Director of the Sports Academy, I had a vision of helping to create something that could help all athletes develop and grow regardless of the sport they wanted to play.
The early years were trying to find the right formula to implement the strategy to service everyone. Our ADP program is a strength and conditioning program based upon providing individual workouts for athletes that are tailored to their sport. For example, if I have a Baseball player, then I want the program to be able to provide a unique S&C program that target those areas to help that player develop to compete.
In addition to implementing tailored strength and conditioning programs for those athletes, I also incorporated the “Spot Coaches” initiative where I would also bring in a specialised coach for those ADP athletes 2 terms per year and provide the technical and tactical side of training as well. Therefore, every athlete gets the full benefits of the program.
By offering every athlete regardless of the sport an opportunity to grow and develop, I think is one of the big reasons we are continually growing as a program. This growth is evident in the number of student athletes. During my first year, we had roughly 40 kids or so, and this year we have more than 100 kids in the program.
The biggest challenge is getting the athletes, to really understand the commitment to themselves. Each year, we have athletes that want to be a part of the program but when the reality of getting up early and starting at 7:30am or needing to have 3 to 4 extra sessions per week outside of their club comes into play, many drop off.
Unfortunately, some think that this should be just like a fun PE class when it’s not. It requires commitment and work on their part.
But having said this, the athletes are getting better each year and becoming more dedicated.
There are lots of students achieving a number of really amazing achievements in their personal sporting endeavours. What impact does this have on the sports academy?
I love the fact that we have kids in our program that are competing at both state and national levels. They have represented themselves and the Sports Academy quite well. However, I take no credit, nor do I want the Sports Academy to take credit for their individual success.
As long as we as a program were able to help them understand the importance of getting the best out of themselves is all that really matters.
We've had the sports academy established at Heathmont College for a number of years now, what benefit do you see the Academy providing the College as a whole?
I think the implementation of the Sports Academy has helped with establishing a better identity with the school.
When they hear about the Sports Academy and the fact that we are helping to promote positivity and success through sport, we have been able to attract some great kids with great attitudes. We are now being sought as a preferred destination when it comes to school sports academies.
Our students have undergone a change in the school community, because of the staff and the values that have been put in place and our input has created a pathway for those dedicated athletes who carry great work ethics and visions of achievement, which can only benefit the overall picture.
How can people get involved with the Academy?
If anyone is wanting to join the Sports Academy, it’s quite easy by just going to the school website and checking out the information available. I am always available and would be more than happy to help people understand the benefits of the program.
A big thank you to Brian Vaughns for the chat with the Gazette. For more information, please see the Sports Academy 2027 article featured in this edition of the Gazette.