SSP NEWS

Link to Purchase Sport Uniform

* For SSP and AAP students only

https://indigowolf.com.au/whcssp

NEWS:

Travel to and from SSP Training Venues Friendly Reminder:

Every child, regardless of their postcode is expected to travel with their class to and from practice venues, as a part of our Duty of Care. Students are not to arrive late or leave early from venues. In 2025, there will be no permanent ‘late’ arrivals or ‘early’ departures issued. It is expected that choosing WHC and the SSP, means you are committed to our 9am-3pm school hours – every day of the week. 

If, your child is required to leave early or arrive late (on the odd occasion), due to an appointment, please contact Anthe Petrovics our Attendance Officer via email to arrange this, so that it is visible on compass (for all staff). This is not to be arranged via Sport Coaches or Teachers.

Anthe Petrovics: Anthe.Petrovics@education.vic.gov.au

Parent-Carer Information Session: Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in the Adolescent Athlete

We hosted a fabulous event on Thursday 12th June, unpacking all things Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation. It was wonderful to see so many parent-carers and student-athletes in attendance. The experience, expertise and insights from Mike Snelling, Nick Richardson and Susan Meaney in how to support our young people within the injury space was invaluable.

Please find attached the Power Point Presentation and Information booklet from the event for the key take away messages and important information.

For parent-carers that attended, we would love it if you could please take 5mins of your time to complete the feedback form: https://forms.office.com/r/R3JNmsWArV

Thank you once again and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 3.

Please see the attached link for the Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation in the Adolescent Athlete Presentation and PDF: 

SSP Trial Outcomes for WHC Mainstream Students (including AAP)

We had a wonderful turn out for our recent SSP trials and we thank you for this.

We will inform all students of SSP trial outcomes on Friday 20th June. Students will receive an acceptance or non-acceptance letter. 

Please note for those students who are unsuccessful, we will have a feedback rubric to share with you (upon request), so that you know required areas of improvement for future trials.

We will continue to trial any mainstream student for SSP mid year (for Semester 2 intake) and end of year (for 2026 intake). 

Please remember that there are limited positions available (if any) within the program at any given year level. The following criteria are also considered with selection:

• Sport specific athletic skill and ability
• Attendance (90% at WHC)

• Effort, behaviour and attitude in all areas of the College Community

   

Leo McCaughley Represents Australia in Rome: 

Our very own Leo McCaughley is currently representing Australia in Rome for Skateboarding. Leo is a part of the National Talent Development Skateboarding Program and a member of our inaugural intake at WHC for our High Performance and Olympic Pathway program. Please see a recent news article published in the Geelong Advertiser regarding Leo’s story. We can’t wait to see and hear how you go Leo. 

All the best and do what you know!

🎯 3rd Specialist Sports Clinics – Registrations Now Open!

Calling all 10–12 year old athletes! Don’t miss the chance to train with elite-level coaches and athletes across four major sports in our 3rd Specialist Sports Clinics.

📍 Dates & Venues:

• AFL Clinic with Matthew Scarlett & Georgie Prespakis🗓 Monday 16th June | 🕞 3:30–4:30 PM📍 Western Heights College Oval
• Netball Clinic with Susan Meaney & Ainsley Corrigan🗓 Tuesday 17th June | 🕞 3:30–4:30 PM📍 Leisuretime Sports Precinct
• Basketball Clinic with Kaleb Sclater & Ash Arnott🗓 Wednesday 18th June | 🕞 3:30–4:30 PM📍 The Geelong Arena
• Soccer Clinic with Joey Didulica & Sean Mahon🗓 Friday 20th June | 🕞 3:30–4:30 PM📍 Leisuretime Sports Precinct

These sessions provide expert coaching, elite development, and inspiration from professionals with national and international experience.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register now!

Spots are limited – book early to secure your place and level up your game!

For more info, contact Cate Johnson SSP Operations Manager: cate.johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Other information

Drawstring Bags and SSP:

We are requesting that all student-athletes continue to bring their drawstring bags to SSP for all of time tabled sessions. No WHC backpacks should enter into the green building – ever! Back packs are to be stored in student lockers. Drawstring bags and boot / shoe bags are permitted for training / in the green building. Please remind your child of this process.

SSP - Competition and Team Selection Friendly Reminder:

It is an exciting time for our program with over 600 students across the four pillar sports: AFL, Basketball, Netball and Soccer. However, this also creates complexities around team selection for tournaments and competitions. It is simply not possible for all student-athletes to be selected.

Please understand that although student-athletes are a part of the SSP, this does not guarantee automatic entry to any WHC interschool or representative team. Head coaches are responsible for team selection and many factors contribute to this process, including; skill, ability, team dynamics, effort, behaviour and attendance across the entire College.

We know that non-selection can be difficult for parent-carers, but we thank you for your understanding and support of our program and all student-athletes, whilst we move in to a heavy phase of competition over the next three terms.

If you or your child has any concerns about selection or non-selection, we would encourage all of our student-athletes to have direct conversations with their coaches regarding feedback for improvement.

We thank you for your continued support. We love that your child is a part of our program, and please endeavour to remember the program was established for our student-athletes to reach both their academic and athletic potentials. It is about growth in both learning and sporting pursuits, not who is or isn’t selected for a team.

Key Contacts for the Specialist Sports Program

Renee Lane – SSP Leader Renee.Lane@education.vic.gov.au

Nick Richardson – High Performance Manager Nicholas.Richardson2@education.vic.gov.au

Cate Johnson – Operations Manager Cate.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Please contact the appropriate staff / coaches at each of the Year Levels below if you have any concerns regarding your child’s athletic performance;

AFL Program:

Thomas Hunter (Yr 7-9): Thomas.Hunter@education.vic.gov.au

Will Sexton (Yr 10-12): William.Sexton@education.vic.gov.au

Basketball Program:

Ashley Arnott (Yr 7 - 8): Ashley.Arnott@education.vic.gov.au

Kaleb Sclater (Yr 9-10): Kaleb.Sclater@education.vic.gov.au

Kris Blicavs (Yr 11-12): Kris.Blicavs@education.vic.gov.au

Netball Program:

Ainsley Corrigan (Yr 7-8): Ainsley.Corrigan@education.vic.gov.au

Stacey Dodds (Yr 9-10): Stacey.Dodds@education.vic.gov.au

Susan Meaney (Yr 11-12): Susan.Meaney@education.vic.gov.au

Seth Tomlinson: Seth.Tomlinson@education.vic.gov.au

Soccer Program:

Joseph Didulica: Joseph.Didulica@education.vic.gov.au

Sean Mahon: Sean.Mahon@education.vic.gov.au

Please note: Any mainstream concerns are via the relevant Sub-School Leader or Learning Community Leader through Compass

AFL:

In the past fortnight our Senior Boys AFL team recently travelled to Echuca to face off against St Joseph’s Echuca in a thrilling match that ended in a nail-biting 42-42 draw. Both teams showed great skill and determination, making it a memorable game for all involved.

Meanwhile, our Year 7 boys had an outstanding start in the first stage of the SSV competition, winning all their games and advancing confidently to the next round. The grand final was a dominant performance against Belmont, finishing with an impressive 72-0 victory. Standout players of the day included Zander Higoe, John Carr-Gellie, Cael Scott, Jett Prime, and Miller Cherry, who all played key roles in the team’s success. 

Next week, we look forward to cheering on our Year 7 and Year 8 junior girls as they compete in the first stage of SSV. In addition to match play, the Year 8 students recently took on a fun plank challenge, with Indi Smith crowned the winner for the girls and Angus Henderson taking the title for the boys. Looking ahead, the Senior Boys team will face Rowville next Tuesday at Deakin in the Premier SSV competition, while the Senior Girls will be competing against Mount Ridley on the same day in the same competition. We wish all our teams the best of luck in their upcoming fixtures!

AFL CONTINUED 

Over the past fortnight, our AFL program has seen outstanding performances and continued skill development across all year levels. The junior girls football team dominated the SSV competition, going undefeated across 4 games without conceding a single score. Their remarkable effort resulted in a grand final victory against Belmont, showcasing incredible teamwork and resilience. Standout performances came from Lacy Penning, Nelly Swanson, Indi Smith, Rhyder Sdybel and Rylea Curmi, all of whom played a key role in the team's success.

Meanwhile, the senior boys stepped up in game 2 of the premier division, securing a commanding 50-point win over Rowville despite challenging cold and wet conditions. Their adaptability and intensity set the tone for a strong performance as well as a coaching masterclass from our very own Matthew Scarlett. Oscar Rixon, Heath Langley, Mason Williams, Jai Lewis, Will Nichols, and Lachi Morrow were named amongst the best players. Across all year levels, players have been honing their fundamental skills—kicking, handballing, ground balls, and marking—both on the field and in craft room. A particular focus has been on marking techniques, including controlling space, running through, late hits, hooks, and one-handed grabs.

Looking ahead, the senior boys will prepare for game 3 in the premier division, while the junior girls take on the next stage of the metropolitan competition. Goodluck to all players and coaches for the upcoming competitions.

Basketball:

Netball:

Well it’s been a huge week in the Netball Program as we kicked off our SSV campaign with our YR 7 & YR 8 Girls attending the Divisional Event. Both year levels showed their dominance taking our the wins in the YR 7 Girls A and B Division and YR 8 Girls A and B Division. All players should be commended on their exceptional sportsmanship, conduct and behaviours as we as congratulations on some excellent performances.

SSV JUNIOR RESULTS: 

Both the YR 7 & 8 Girls A Teams will progress to the Western Metropolitan Finals to be held in Altona on 26th June. 

Our JR 7 & Intermediate Boys hit the court next week in their Divisional Events. We are really looking forward to seeing them out on court after a strong preparation.

The excitement is building for the NZ Netball Tour as we approach the 20 days till departure mark. A friendly reminder to all tour participants that the Pre-Departure information Night is being held on Monday 2nd June in the Green Building at 5:30pm in the Green Building.

This week we headed to Norlane ARC for a swimming recovery & training session for all our cohorts which has been well earned after some heavy weeks of Netball. 

NETBALL PROGRAM STUDENT ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENTS

Hayley Evans (SNP) & Lexie Whatley (SAFLP) have been selected in the U/15 & U/17 Netball Victoria Talent Identification Pathways Program and will attend a screening as part of the High Performance Pathway towards Victorian Underage State Teams. Congratulations to both players and best wishes!!

Many students recently competed in the Barwon Region Junior Netball Championships and also Association Championships last week. Well done to all on performances in these events. 

Levi Tubailagi from YR (SNP) has been chosen for the Modern Pentathlon Australia National Team to compete in two events (Biathle/Triathle World Championships and Laser Run World Championships) in Johannesburg, South Africa at the end of the year. Levi will be heading to Texas in late June to represent Australia at the World Ninja Warrior Championships. He had also received an invitation to compete at the Spartan Sprint World Championships in Croatia in October, but we will be declining to concentrate on Ninja and Modern Pentathlon!!! Busy times for Levi but a huge congratulations Levi we are super proud of you and wish you all the best for all your events!!

Have a great week

The Netball Team!!

UPCOMING DATES:

Draws will be posted on Compass for families

Soccer

What an impressive start to the Year 7’s and Year 8’s both boys and girls SSV schools' soccer competition. The combined girls 7’s and 8’s were barely pushed in the Geelong school's competition. The girls are too strong in all aspects of the game and graciously cruised through the first round. Western Heights College are the current Victorian title holders so the next rounds should be a little more testing. 

The boy's year 7’s were as keen as mustard to get out and play games and were ever so impressive. They scored 35 goals in total and didn't conceding a single goal. Their game knowledge, skills and overall game intelligence was far too superior to any other teams in Geelong. Scoring was freely done, defending was sharp, and elegance was aplenty. 

The year 8 boys continued their form of last year and showed why they are so highly regarded in their field. The year 8’s are continuing to gel well and outclassed North Geelong secondary College in the final by 5-0. The games were rapid with 2x15 minutes halves but even the time restraint couldn’t stop a rampant year 8 group from battering the opponent's goal. 

Winning Three Geelong District titles is no surprise for this school and this program but the manner in which the teams played and performed was extremely impressive. The student's behaviour was impeccable and their modesty in play was exemplary.