Sports Academy News

Sports Academy 2025-Applications Now Open

Sports Academy Applications for 2025 are now open! If your child is interested in being part of Lowanna’s prestigious Sports Academy, whether they are currently enrolled as a student or wanting to enroll for next year, we encourage you to express your interest via the below link. 

https://forms.office.com/r/hkdFCn1BL3

Student Achievements

Stawell Gift - Brady Cake 

Over the Easter school holidays, Year 8 Sports Academy student Brady Cake competed in the Stawell Gift Little Athletics. Showing off his long-distance ability, Brady competed in both the 400m and 800m qualifying heats, coming 2nd in his 400m heat with an incredible time of 54:234sec, but unfortunately was just short of advancing to the final. However, eager to prove himself in the 800m event, Brady once again placed 2nd in his heat and advanced to the final, coming 7th overall with an amazing time of 2:15:033sec. What an amazing achievement Brady!

Lexie’s multisport achievements

After her first year of netball, Year 8 Sports Academy student Lexie Jackson was scouted by the Gippsland Sports Academy to attend their netball tryouts in which she was successful, being invited to join the GSA (Gippsland Sports Academy) 2024 Netball Development Program. To help cover the costs of the program, Lexie has been fortunate to sought out a sponsor, Danny Edebohls Property Sales (pictured below). Not only has Lexie been triumphant in her netball endeavours, but she has also showcased her basketball skills, competing in the Whittlesea Basketball Tournament, representing her VJBL Team alongside her teammates and fellow Sports Academy students, Marah Xerri and Kayla Pearless (pictured above). The girls had a victorious weekend, coming runners up to Bendigo who are a top ranked Victorian team. Well done girls, and congratulations Lexie on all of your achievements.

Owen’s referee experience 

Over the Easter break, Year 10 Sports Academy student Owen Harrington was nominated as a referee for the U12s Basketball Junior Country Championships that were held over three days. Owen umpired 11 games, including 2 quarter finals, over the three days. Well done Owen, what a great experience. 

Ricky plays for AFL Academy 

Year 12 Sports Academy student Ricky Mentha has shown his impressive football talent, being selected for the U18s Gippsland Power team for 2024 and recently competing with the AFL Academy Team against Footscray’s VFL side. What an amazing experience for Ricky, keep up the great work! 

Fraser competes in the National Athletics Championships

On Saturday the 27th of April, Fraser Aubrey competed in the Australian Little Athletics Championships held in Adelaide after being selected to represent Team Victoria. Fraser competed in the U15s boys 1500m walk race with an incredible time of 7:09.17, earning him the 2nd place medal. Congratulations Fraser on this amazing, well-earned achievement.

Coach Ramayer Gourley supports Sports Academy students in the Traralgon Netball Tournament

Coach Ramayer Gourley with U17 girls pictured above.

On the 21st of April, five of our academy students competed in the Traralgon Netball Tournament representing the Moe District Netball Squad, with Sports Academy coach Ramayer Gourley coaching them on the day. Zekiya Glibanovic and Chloe Van den Dolder competed in the U15s team, having a successful day, advancing to the Grand Final - they lost by 6 points to Bairnsdale. Layna Hale, Lexi Micallef and Meg O’Reilly all competed in the U17s team who also progressed to the Grand Final, where they won against Chelsea! Congratulations girls and well done!

U15 girls pictured above.

Dino’s Soccer Hatrick

Recently, Dino Grbic represented Gippsland United Football Club in pre NPL U13s. Whilst the score was 4-1 with Gippsland United presuming a loss, Dino scored a Hatrick to level the scores with an incredible bicycle goal that was the equaliser. Amazing job Dino, keep up the great work!

Intermediate 3x3 Basketball Finals Cup

On Tuesday the 23rd of April, nine of Lowanna’s Sports Academy students travelled to the State Basketball Centre to compete in the 3x3 Basketball Finals Cup. Jamie Chapman, Miley Kelly, Lexi Micallef and Brooke Olsen competed in the Division 2 and represented Lowanna’s girl's team. Winning all but one of their five round games, the girls successfully made the quarter final, however lost to a skillful Berwick. Competing in Division 1 was Keller Holmes, Noah Smith, Eli Sutherland and Ethan Wildblood with an injured Cooper Belsham coming along to support his teammates. The boys were competitive but unfortunately could only grasp one win against Berwick. Well done everyone. 

Junior 3X3 Basketball Finals Cup

On Monday the 22nd of April, eight of our junior basketballers competed in the 3x3 Basketball Finals Cup. Virginia Daley, Lexie Jackson, Liv Ouchirenko and Holly Reaper all competed in the junior girl's team, having a successful streak of winning all their round games. After advancing to the quarter finals, the girls were just short of holding onto their winning streak losing to a talented CLC team by a mere 2 points. 

Liam Arbon, Nate Ellis, Konyi Kaka and Jaxon Scott all competed for the junior boy's team. The boys won the game that took them into the quarter final but unfortunately were just short of advancing to the semifinals, after being defeated by a competitive Crest boys team by only 1 point. An amazing effort from both teams who played against the best schools in the state. Well done everyone! 

Jaz Shelley - Sports Academy Graduate makes the WNBA

Former Lowanna College Sports Academy student, Jaz Shelley, recently got the news of a lifetime - she has been drafted to the WNBA. After playing college basketball with Nebraska Huskers, Jaz received pick 29 in the 2024 WNBA draft, now representing Pheonix Mercury. This is a dream come true for Jaz and is a reflection of her hard work and dedication. We wish Jaz all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter in her career. Congratulations Jaz!

Supporting our students 

Each year our Sports Academy and partners select a few students who they support (either financially or by providing apparel/uniform) to be the best they can be as part of the program.  

Mr. Allan Chandler with Brodie Atkins, Football Program.

Mr. Mike Santo with Eli Sutherland, Basketball Program.

Mr. Mal Swinley with Stevie Zeva, Basketball Program.

Mr. Mike Santo with Noah Smith, Basketball Program.

Partners supporting our students

Danielle Purvis from Standout Nutrition is supporting young basketballer, Virginia Daley, in her basketball aspirations. Thank you Danielle for your ongoing support to our students and to the Sports Academy program.  

Danielle and Virginia pictured above.

Mindful Aus Membership Hub

The Members Resource Hub is here, and it’s set to revolutionise the way you access resources for your wellbeing. Packed to the brim with an incredible array of wellness content, this upcoming platform will be your go-to destination for all things wellness. From inspiring videos to expertly curated articles and resources, the Members Hub will be your personal haven of knowledge and guidance. 

The link below will take you to the Mindful Aus Resource Hub for Lowanna students.

https://www.mindfullaus.org/membership-hub

Password- lowanna23

USA Basketball Trip 2025 Expression of Interest 

This USA Basketball Trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience basketball at an elite level in one of the most prestigious sporting countries.  To fill out an expression of interest, click the link below. An Information Session will be held at the college soon. To find out more, contact Mr. Allan Chandler.  

https://forms.office.com/r/Wp3aXJ8nET

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