Sports Excellence 2022

I cannot begin to describe how incredibly proud we are of our students in the emerging athlete program. Each session, they arrive with an eagerness to learn and a willingness to give everything a go. 

We are so excited to be able to share our program with everyone, from our newbies to those seasoned veterans completing their fourth and final year, everyone has started the year extremely well.

Below is a snapshot of each group and some of the things that have been going on before and after school.

First-Year Athletes (Foundation One)

The beginning of the 2020 school year in the Sports Excellence Programme for our Foundation students has brought on many new and engaging challenges. The introductory exercises the students have been completing are targeting the development of their core strength whilst learning some diaphragmatic control. The students have begun noticing the positioning of their bodies including flexed and neutral spines, as well as their knee positioning through squatting and glute bridges. These exercises are used to strengthen their muscles and ultimately, prevent injury. With alarming increases in youth injuries, it is amazing to see so many students applying effort within the program and enjoying learning about their bodies through movement. We look forward to an exciting year ahead, facilitating the development of the next generation of Girton athletes.

Second Year Athletes (Developmental One)

The Developmental One (second year) students have thoroughly enjoyed using the new sandbells and continually show improvement from session to session. For some of these students, this is the first time they have added load to a movement pattern and have found the added challenge a real test. Exercises such as single-leg squats and Nordic lowers are still providing adequate challenges to students wanting a test but can also be regressed to those still learning the movement. The following weeks we will begin numerous conditioning pieces where athletes can really test themselves physically.

Third Year Athletes (Strength One)

The Strength one (third year) group have begun working towards mastering overhead squats, an extremely challenging traditional strength exercise. Some students have enjoyed using the new 8kg training barbells to add load to this movement. Single leg deadlifts were also revisited this week and the students added a counter movement jump into the ACL pre-hab training. Next week students will be working on their running techniques while also a hanging front foot lift and an increase in complexity of the lunge movement are sure to be challenging. 

Fourth Year Athletes (Strength Four)

Students continued with the theme of “gradual overload” where the same exercises they have completed each week are increased each week in either their repetitions or the weight that they are placed under. They have already seen increases in strength and will continue to experience overloading in each of the set exercises. 

We are still accepting numbers for the 2022 Emerging Athlete Program (Grades 5-8) If you would like to sign your son/ daughter up please contact benfurphy@girton.vic.edu.au

Mr Ben Furphy

Sports Excellence Manager