BASKETBALL ACADEMY
In June 2008 22 students from Years 8-12 accepted an invitation to join the St Monica’s Basketball Academy. The academy has been operational for four years and in 2008 Mr Dale Platek became Director following three years under the direction of Mr John Russo. The change in directors also led to several changes in the focus of the academy. Our teams moved from the Mill Park domestic competition to Diamond Valley for better overall competition in the upper age groups. Two teams were entered in U18 Boys and Girls competitions despite many of the team still eligible to play in U16 competitions. The college also entered the Victorian College Championships for the first time in both senior and intermediate Boys and Girls competitions. A senior Boy’s team was also entered for the first time in the McDonald’s state wide competition. All of these changes were aimed at one thing and that was to maximise the standard of competition for all of our teams.
In 2008 St Monica’s in the Premier League competition compiled a record of 54-6 for the year. This record included premierships for the Years 8-9-10 and senior Boys teams and the Year 7 Boys were runners-up. The Senior Girls did not enter a formal team but the Year 8 and Year 9 Girls won premierships and the Year 7 and 10 teams were also runners-up. The Senior Boys also won the Victorian College championship tournament at Knox and were defeated in the Champion of Champion’s semi-final by Box Hill in September.
The U16 Girls were Mill Park domestic champions in 2008 and both teams now play at Diamond Valley in the U18 team competition. The Boys were recently promoted to A grade after an excellent first season in B grade that saw them reach the finals despite only 3 boys in the team being in the U18 age group. They were defeated in the elimination final by a score of 51-50 on a shot as the horn sounded.
Academy members over 15 are also invited to take part at Leisure City Fitness Centre in individually organised fitness programs tailored to suit basketball players. An additional program of trainings is run on the Dalton Road campus once a week from 3.30-5.30pm for all academy participants. With the 2009 intake of Year 7 candidates this year we anticipate the number of academy athletes to be around 30-35 players.
In 2009 the academy will focus on continuing to seek excellent competition for all our teams at each year level. The only way to maximise an individual’s potential is to constantly have them playing against top calibre athletes. This year there will be a focus on a core of generic information and skill sets for all athletes in all age groups to provide them with a universal base of knowledge in both skills and techniques. These skills and techniques will be on both an individual and team basis.
Academy athletes have been invited to take part on a 19 day tour to the USA in December to play against high school teams in a series of eight games. All athletes at Year 9-12 are eligible to participate and the proposed cost including expenses would be in the range of $5,000-$6,000. A final decision will be made on this early in term 2. The tour would take place from December 5-23 when students have completed school for the year and both a Boys and Girls team would be looking to take part.
Any queries regarding the Basketball Academy can be answered by Dale Platek who is based at the Dalton Rd. Campus or Mr. David Black who is based at the Davisson St. Campus during school hours.
Know the Game
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