Australia’s sports stars of tomorrow were celebrated today with Minister for Education James Merlino inducting twelve students from Maribyrnong Sports Academy into its Australian Representation Honour Wall.
The students were recognised as a result of selection in national sports teams since the last induction in 2014.
Mr Merlino toured the Academy and took part in the naming of a new Quad Scull boat in conjunction with Footscray City Rowing Club.
The Academy was the first sports specialist school established by the former Labor Government when it opened in 2007 with 62 athletes across five sports.
It has grown to more than 500 athletes across 12 sports, with the student athletes coming from all over Victoria and interstate. Students attend Maribyrnong College for their academic studies and the Sports Academy for their sporting development.
Over the past 9 years, the College and Sports Academy have produced athletes who have represented their nation at the Olympic and Commonwealth games, as well as world cups and world championships. Thirty former student athletes have progressed to US College pathways, with some achieving All American selection in national teams.
More than 50 community sporting organisations use facilities at the College and Sports Academy after hours every day of the week.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget invests almost $4 billion in Victoria’s education and skills system – representing the single biggest boost to education funding in Victoria’s history.
The Budget provides $325 million to renovate, refurbish or rebuild 67 schools. It will fund the first stage of an extensive asbestos removal program so that families can be assured their children are being educated in safe schools.
It also includes $180 million for programs that will help families cover the extra costs of education, like camps, excursions and uniforms, so no child misses out.
A full list of the new inductees is attached.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Maribyrnong College is a great example of how Victorian children are being supported to reach their full potential, both in the classroom and on the sporting field.”
“Congratulations to the school leadership team, staff, the Sports Academy Advisory Board and School Council for their vision and work in developing an Academy for sporting excellence and education in Victoria.”
“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has access to great local schools and every child gets the chance to succeed.”
2015 Australian Honour Wall inductees
| MIKAYLA ADAM | AUSTRALIAN U/21 YOUTH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM - 2014 |
| LARA ADAM | AUSTRALIAN YOUTH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM - 2015 |
| JACK BYTEL | SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA 15 YEARS & UNDER AFL TEAM – 2015 |
| MADELINE GOODSELL | AUSTRALIAN U/21 JUNIOR TABLE TENNIS TEAM – 2014 |
| COURTNEY MUSICO | AFL GIRLS ACADEMY – 2014 |
| PINO GEORGIEVSKI | SPORTS TAEKWONDO AUSTRALIA COMMONWEALTH CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM – 2015 |
| ANNABEL MARTIN | FOOTBALL FEDERATION AUSTRALIA U20 YOUNG MATILDA – 2015 |
| AMELIA MAZZA-DOWNIE | ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA TEAM : WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS – 2015 |
| ALEXANDER (AJ) McCONVILLE | ICE HOCKEY AUSTRALIA 13 YEARS & UNDER TEAM – 2015 |
| DANIEL MOTT | SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA 15 YEARS & UNDER AFL TEAM 2015 |
| CELESTE MUCCI | ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA TEAM : WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS – 2015 |
| FRED PACE | SPORTS TAEKWONDO AUSTRALIA CADET TEAM – 2015 |
Reviewed 19 August 2020