EXCEL Sport Program
Year 9 EXCEL Sport Golf Unit
Throughout Term 2, the Year 9 EXCEL Sport students participated in a 5-week Golf unit under the guidance of 2 PGA golf coaches, Jack Sandic and Jaydon Vaenuku at Patterson River Golf Club.
The students were taught the fundamentals of golf including fairway shots, approach shots and putting as well as golf etiquette and course care. The unit culminated in a group 9-hole round of golf on the Patterson River Golf Club course using the Ambrose format.
Well done to Jack K, Liam M and Zach T for winning the competition with a score of 3 under for the day. Thank you to Jack Sandic and Jaydon Vaenuku for passing on their knowledge and expertise and Ms Daly, Mr Hayes and Mr McLoughlin for assisting throughout the golf game.
Ms. Allan
EXCEL Sports Coordinator
2025 NFL Flag 15U VIC State Championships
On Friday May 9th the Year 9 EXCEL Sport students competed in the Victorian Flag Football competition. This was a new competition established by Flag Football Australia with the winner of the day getting an all expenses paid trip to the Gold Coast to compete for the national title. Unfortunately, not all students could compete. Rules of the day only allowed one team per school, with teams capped at 10.
After weeks of training Mr McCormack was tasked with the tough job of selecting the team of 10. While there was some obvious disappointment everyone respected the decision and those not selected still came on the day to offer their support. The games consisted of two 10-minute periods and each school playing 4 games in their pool, with the top 2 of each pool playing off in what would make up the semi's and grand final.
We finished the pool stage 3-1 and in second position, with our only loss coming against a strong Frankston High School side. All other games in this stage we won quite comfortably, as we were still figuring out plays to make, changing up positions and just gauging a real feel for a sport which was new to all.
Our semi-final against View Bank College was a real arm wrestle, with each school taking it in turns scoring touch downs, but no one able to convert. With time running out and with us down 12-18 we needed a touch down to even things up. We had our Hail Mary moment in the dying seconds of the game but unfortunately the touchdown was unsuccessful and the siren went meaning our day was done.
All of the Year 9 EXCEL Sport class should hold their head high with how they performed on the day and how they represented the college with great pride!
Best players across the day:
Tait W, Cuan R, Lucy M, Paxon S and Lachie C.
Mr McCormack
Physical Education Teacher
2025 U17 Intermediate VSSC Basketball Qualifying Day
On Wednesday May 14th, the EXCEL Sport Program proudly represented the College at the Division 2 Victorian Secondary School Challenge Qualifying Day, held at Jubilee Park in Frankston. Competing against a strong field of basketball academy schools from across Victoria, we entered two boys’ teams and one girls’ team from Year 9 and Year 10.
All three teams demonstrated resilience, teamwork and noticeable improvement across the day. Our ball movement in transition was a highlight and students showed strong cohesion on both ends of the court.
The Year 10 boys competed with determination, narrowly dropping just two games. The Year 9 boys had a particularly impressive run, losing only one match and finishing equal top in their pool—just missing out on a spot in the grand final on percentage. The girls’ team also performed well, creating several opportunities to progress but narrowly missed qualification for the finals.
Throughout the day, our students conducted themselves with integrity and sportsmanship, representing the College with distinction.
A sincere thank you to Mr Cafiso for his support, Zach T for volunteering to play up a year level with the Year 10 team and Mali R for her commitment to scoring all matches.
We are proud of our students’ efforts and look forward to further success in future competitions.
Ms Allan
EXCEL Sport Coordinator
East Melbourne Schools Futsal Titles
The East Melbourne Schools Futsal Titles gave the Patterson River Secondary College Year 7 EXCEL Sport students an opportunity to participate in their second event for the year. The girls’ and boys’ teams competed separately and both teams came across some very tough competition.
The competition saw both the boys’ and girls’ teams split into 2 teams, Green and Gold. Coming up against schools that had State Futsal players in them, it was always going to be a tough day. The boys’ teams had 6 games to play plus finals and the girls had 3 games and finals.
The Green and Gold Under 13 boys’ teams really had to work hard all day, but their determination never failed them. As the games were 22 minutes, it was high intensity and with only 1 sub per team, the work rate was noteworthy. They competed against Elwood College, Kew High School and Hampton Park Secondary College. Both teams adapted to the fast pace of the game well and had to defend some extremely skilful players. With shots on goals coming in extremely fast, the goalies did everything they could to stop the shots and succeeded many times. The level of skill the boys displayed grew throughout the tournament which gave them more belief in their ability moving through the day. The defensive pressure that both teams exhibited was unrelenting and there were no goals scored against them that were easy.
The Green and Gold girls’ teams had an eventful day having to compete across 2 age groups, those being the Under 13 and Under 14 age groups. With 30 minutes games and no substitutions, it was also going to be a tough day for the girls where they had to rely on their fitness as well as their skill set to get them through. Sirius College and Hampton Park Secondary College were the schools that we had to beat to become the East Melbourne School Futsal Title Champions. Again, the girls also came up against some state futsal players in their opposition, which made them work extremely hard to get the win. Our goalies were incredible the way that they read the ball and put their bodies on the line to stop the goal.
In a surprising turn of events, the Gold team found themselves in the final against the Under 14 team Hampton Park Secondary College, to play off for the Under 14 title and were successful! They played beautifully as a team and took scoring opportunities, albeit fleeting, when they had them and converted. I was so proud of their relentless style of game and with Maccas on the line, that gave them the extra boost they needed to take the win! The Gold team became the U14 East Melbourne School Futsal Title Champions against Hampton Park Secondary College with a score of 4 – 2. They worked hard defensively and the passes that the girls were beginning to implement, really allowed them space to score. The Green team made it to the semi finals and had to play Sirius College to get a spot in the final which they unfortunately lost but the improvement in skills from the first to last game was impressive.
The Gold team then had to back up their first final to play in the Under 13 final against Sirius College. With not a lot left in the tank, the Gold team girls went out there and threw everything they had as Sirius College. Unfortunately, Sirius College were just too strong at the end of the day and we lost the Under 13 final 4-0.
I would like to congratulate Ryan C, Olive C, Taylah G and Mila M for their selection to try out for the Victorian State Futsal team based on a state team scout selecting them from their efforts on the day. We wish you all the best should you follow this opportunity further.
In a sport where not many had a lot of experience, I was really impressed with the continued effort and learning of set plays and skill progression both in training and on the day. EXCEL Sport is all about finding yourself in unfamiliar game settings and adapting with the skill sets that the students do have. And this Year 7 EXCEL Sport group did that without hesitation. All teams worked hard to represent themselves, their team, the EXCEL program and the College with pride and are a credit to themselves. I’m extremely proud of all their efforts. Well done.
Stay sporty,
Mrs Jade Brand
Year 7 EXCEL Sport Teacher
Physical Education Domain Leader
