Sports Academy News

July/August 2023

Lowanna's Matilda's

Congratulations to the Year 7 Girls Soccer Team who had a successful day on the 10th of August, winning both of their games against Lavalla Catholic College and Bass Coast College, making it into the state level! A big shoutout to Miley Cooper who kicked 8 goals for the day between both games!

Athlete of the Month

August

Congratulations to Year 10 Sports Academy Student Kya Smith who has been named August's Athlete of the Month! She was also given a PTS Nike Backpack for her hard work! Kya has been doing extremely well in her netball, representing U/17 Gippsland Storm and winning against Sandringham in the Waverley Night Netball Association Grand Final. Well done Kya!

Senior Girls Gippsland Basketball

On Tuesday the 15th of August our Senior girls had the opportunity to play in the Senior Girls Gippsland Basketball Finals, playing 3 games against the region’s winners. The first 2 games were one sided affairs, winning 74-4 and 57-20 against Nagle College and Kurnai College. This gave the girls the chance to play in the final against Bass Coast College. In a hard physical game, Bass Coast College came out victors, 23-21. It was a great effort by our girls!

West Gippsland Athletics

On Thursday the 17th of August, our Lowanna students participated in the West Gippsland Athletics, at the Newborough Athletics Track, in an attempt to get into the next round. Many of our students placed first and will be heading to the Gippsland Round on the 5th of September! Fantastic effort by all students who attended!

Gippsland Power

Tom Matthews making his debut for Gippsland Power

Congratulations to Tom Matthews for making his debut against one of the top sides, Northern Knights, for Gippsland Power. Tom has been training hard with Gippsland Power since the U16's finished up and was listed to play Round 14.

Four Lowanna students - Tom Matthews (38), Seb Amoroso (30), Lane Ward (4) and Ricky Mentha (29), represented Gippsland Power with Assistant Coach Allan Chandler in a 66-point win over Bendigo Pioneers in Round 15. Ricky had a ripper game kicking 3 goals and Lane having 26 disposals.

West Gippsland V Warragul and District Interleague Game

Congratulations to Lowanna Sports Academy students Jett McDonald (pictured), Tait Cornwall and Fraser Aubrey for being selected to play in the Warragul and District Under 14's side.

National Squad Preparation

Our students have been working hard, showing effort and determination as they prepare for National's.

Pilates

Our Year 9 and Year 10 Sports Academy Netball and individual athletes doing Pilates and Strength Training.

Training

Academy Head Coach Mike Santo with National's U/17 Squad completing some early morning training.

Nationals U/15 girls going through some strategic plays with Coach Corey Smith and Assistant Coach Makenzie Miller.

Strength and Conditioning

National's bound U/15 Basketball Boys with Strength and Conditioning Coach Cooper Alger from Voyage Fitness completing early morning plyometrics training.

Standout Nutrition

On Tuesday the 15th of August, 10 Sports Academy students from Year's 9-12 sat in with Danielle Purvis (Sports Academy Nutritionist) for a 15–30-minute consult where Danielle outlined what foods students should be eating, the amount of food they should be eating and how it will help their performance in the sports they play.

A note from Danielle

During our recent nutrition consultations for students, I am thrilled to report that each student has been making remarkable improvements in their nutritional habits and overall health.

There has been a lot of positive progress as they continue to make better choices for their wellbeing. This time around, our emphasis has been on developing customised diets that specifically target recovery/growth.

It's been satisfying to observe how these personalised nutrition plans are not only supporting their progress but also enabling them to perform better in their chosen field of sport.

Physioworks

Year 10 Sports Academy student Maxwell Plummer is with Physioworks Wil Treuer at the Pakenham Clinic completing rehabilitation, following a forearm break and dislocation. There are positive signs, and our rugby player is getting back into exercise.

Mike Santo - Team of the Century

Congratulations to Sports Academy teacher Mike Santo who was named in the forward line for 'The Team of the Quarter Century 1998-Present' and on the interchange for 'The Team of the Half Century 1973-Present'.

Mr. Santo pictured with fellow teammate Jason Kennedy.

Past Student Message - Mitch Tepaa in USA

I have been playing basketball at Sierra College in California - I am a shooting guard who shot 50 percent from three last season. I grew up playing basketball for Warragul and Gippsland United. I played for Vic Country and moved to Lowanna College to join the Sports Academy in Year 9 to improve my skills and knowledge on all aspects of basketball and training. I then got recruited to play my Senior Year at Utah Prep in Salt Lake City, USA, on a 50 percent scholarship. I travelled around the USA playing for my High School and played on ESPN against the number 1 ranked team. In Utah, I averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds with shooting 45 percent from the field. I was then recruited to numerous College's but found my home at Sierra College.