England Roses train at Marby

The England Netball Team has spent the morning training at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy prior to their final Quad series match against South Africa in Melbourne this Sunday 23rd September. 

After spending a two week training camp in New Zealand, where they played the Silver Furns and won 52-39, the England Roses went down to Australian Diamonds in Newcastle 52-47 in their first clash since the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

England goal keeper and New Collingwood Magpies recruit Geva Mentor says the Maribyrnong Sports Academy facilities are first class. “ I been here a few times before and I’m always happy to come here.  Maribyrnong is an easy place to get to, and it’s great having the sprung floors and all the facilities at hand.  Having the gym also helps our girls in rehab and not on the court, to continue their work with fantastic facilities all under the one roof. For me it’s also great to see the friendly smiles from the staff when you walk in. Everyone goes out of their way to make us comfortable, from bringing us bottles of water to sweeping the floors and making sure it’s already to go.”

For Geva, catching up with her England teammates again is a fun way end a very full year. “ It’s been a big year starting with the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast then a full season with the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Suncorp Super Netball Season.  So it’s nice to now re-join with these girls and reminisce on the season we have had.”

And as the Academy students start their term 3 holidays, Geva is set to embark on a break of her own after such a long year on the court. “ Finally I will get a break, with just the one game against South Africa to come I will get all of October off and I’m very excited about that.”

Maribyrnong Sports Academy has been host to many National Teams in the past including the Australian Diamonds, the England and Welsh Netball teams and the Australian Boomers.

Nia Stamatapoulos scores a Hat Trick for Australia

Year 9 Maribyrnong Sports Academy student Nia Stamatapoulos has scored a hat-trick in the young Matilda’s resounding win over Indonesia 11-0 in the AFC U16 Women’s Championship Asian Qualifiers.

Nia opened the young Matilda’s account in the 5thminute with a juggled goal inside the penalty area giving Australia the early lead.

An inch perfect free kick outside the area brought up goal number two for the talented striker in the 11thminute while her third goal came just after half time with a beautiful run down tackle and shot for goal from 30 yards out to put the Matilda’s 5-0 up.

MSA Football Academy Senior Group head coach Adrian Mazzarella says Nia is a shining star of the Academy’s women’s program.  “ Nia came to Maribyrnong via the FFA High Performance School Program of which our Academy is only one of two in Australia to accept students on this pathway.  Nia has excelled in the training regime of the academy.  One of Nia’s main attributes is her personality and character.  I expect Nia will go a long way in her football career.”

The next Game for the Matilda’s, who now sit on top of their group, is tonight against the Kyrgyz Republic at 9pm Melbourne time.

Click here to view Nia’s 3 goals.

School Gym Opening times during holidays

All the staff and coaches here at Maribyrnong Sports Academy wish our students and families a happy and safe holiday period.

Should our students wish to use the school gym during the holidays, the gym will be staffed by our Phys Prep coaches and Rehab staff during the following times:

 Week 1

 Monday and Wednesday 9am-11am

 Week 2 

 Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-11am

 We look forward to seeing you there.