Students seizing opportunities
A“Parent feedback with regard to engagement and results in our AFL Academy have been outstanding and as such we have decided to expand our academy range to focus on the Wimmera’s outstanding basketball developmental pathways” – Rob Pyers
new sports academy headlines a growing list of academic and sporting extracurricular experiences available for students at a large Wimmera school.
Horsham College has announced students in 2023 will have an opportunity to be part of a new basketball academy, which will join the college’s existing AFL Academy and its accelerated academic program.
College principal Rob Pyers said he was proud to expand the school’s extracurricular offerings.
He said he expected the new basketball academy to complement its existing AFL Academy success.
“Parent feedback with regard to engagement and results in our AFL Academy have been outstanding and as such we have decided to expand our academy range to focus on the Wimmera’s outstanding basketball developmental pathways,” he said.
The new basketball program will be led by former Horsham Hornets coaches Cameron Bruce and Mark Howard.
Mr Pyers said while the program would focus on developing leadership and skills, its value was in teaching students what it meant to be a ‘great’ person.
The college’s junior school assistant principal Adam Ross said basketball academy leaders Mr Bruce and Mr Howard’s sporting and mentoring experience would be an asset to the school. “They have been excellent basketballers in their own right and will be able to use not only their expertise, but their links with Horsham Amateur Basketball Association and elite pathways to provide an outstanding program for our students,” he said.
Mr Bruce said he wanted to demonstrate to students that sport was about giving back to the community and peer development as well as about specific skill development.
Mr Pyers said Horsham College’s large student enrolment and size offered ‘boundless’ opportunities for wellbeing and learning and student support.
“We understand that while it is important our size can provide opportunity, our number one strength is our ability to build relationships and be accessible and welcoming to all families,” he said.
The new basketball academy will accompany a return of Horsham College’s three Select Entry Accelerated Learning, SEAL, classes for years seven and eight, as well as its AFL Academy.
Returning Horsham College AFL Academy leader Gareth Hose said students committed to the football program did so on a condition they achieved their best academically and continued to demonstrate the college’s values.
AFL Academy and year-eight student Jack Mcauliffe said the academy offered ‘exclusive’ opportunities to travel and compete against other schools.
“It is great being a part of a highly motivational group of students who have a passion for footy and enjoy working together,” he said.
Fellow year-eight academy student Violet Mcgennisken said she had enjoyed being part of the program and the boys had been ‘extremely welcoming’.
“My skills have developed enormously and it is great playing football for Horsham College and enjoying success on the field,” she said.
Current year-eight students enrolled in the SEAL program elaborated on program benefits to their learning.
Brock Clarke said he had made many new friendships being a part of the program, while Addison Walter said the program was integral in ensuring she and her classmates reached their academic potential.
“At Horsham College we are also pleased to be able to offer the broadest range of performing and creative arts from year seven to12 in the Wimmera,” Mr Pyers said.
“VCE subjects include art, dance, drama, media studies, music, theatre studies, studio arts and visual communication.”