SSP NEWS

Netball 

We welcomed back students last week and have hit the court running for an exciting Term 2 in the Specialist Netball Program. Coinciding with the commencement of the winter Netball Season you can sense the buzz and excitement amongst all groups as well as the competitiveness and banter between students as their clubs and teams compete against each other.

On Court the focus has been on defence as we build from man to man into unit defence and defensive structures in both general group and specialist area sessions. Defensive skills are being explored through on court development, understanding, and viewing concepts using vision from Suncorp Super Netball Games and then consolidating in match play and on court scenarios.

In Education we have continued to build on the capacity of student athletes to manage and balance life loads of sport, studies, work and time for themselves through weekly planners and load management strategies to assist through a busy period this term with majority of players competing across local and association representative levels. Student Athletes have designed their planners and will use throughout the term.

Year 9 Students commenced their Resilience Project modules last week as we explored the G.E.M principal of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness. This is a fantastic opportunity and initiative promoting communication and being present and engaged that blend in well with our education sessions around life and load management. 

We would like to acknowledge Ruby Cook from YR 8 for her selection and performance as part of the Barwon Region U/15 side that competed at the recent State Titles held in Bendigo against other regions of Victoria. Ruby performed solidly across the two day tournament and we congratulate her on her achievements. 

We have many players across all year levels currently involved in association representative sides gearing up for Association Championships in late May being held in Wyndham this year. For some, this also currently involves participating in the Barwon Junior Competition on a Monday night as rep sides.

The High Performance Boys Initiative is going from strength to strength with the addition of YR 8’s into the program who have been enthusiastically engaged in both on court sessions and killing it in the gym working on reactive power/speed through lifting sessions and plyometrics. The YR 7 group have progressed significantly in their speed, movement and functioning on court largely due to the strong foundations from this gym work. 

We also congratulate our Specialist Coach and Australian Men’s Netball Player Alastair Pushan who over the holiday break competed in the Australian Men’s Netball Championships as part of the winning Victorian Men’s State Netball Team. Well done Al, awesome effort!!

Have a great week everyone.

The Netball Team

AFL

We're pleased to report that the term has kicked off well with our students returning fit and ready keep learning, working and running (of course).  Good luck to you all on the weekend.  I hope you feel you’re game has come along.

Congratulations to Meyah Fursland and Noah Tullio for their outstanding achievement in being selected for Vic Country! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off.

Our Senior Boys recently faced off against Xavier College in what can only be described as a thrilling match! To all who came out to support a warm thank you from the team. Your presence truly made a difference.  Despite the odds, our team demonstrated grit with a phenomenal fightback in the second half. It's moments like these that show us you are on the right path.  Thank you to central umpires Dani Rhodes and Will Sexton.

Let's keep up the good work and continue to support each other as we embark on the exciting term ahead!