Boots and Balls make their way to Darwin

Over 60 pairs of football boots and 30 footballs are on their way to the Northern Territory, complements of a partnership between Downer Group and Maribyrnong Sports Academy. MSA AFL Students traveled to the Tiwi Islands back in June, where they played a game of footy against students from Xavier Catholic College, Wurrumiyanga.

During this game two acts of humanity where shown by the boys from Maribyrnong.  The first was at half time in the game when the Maribyrnong Sports Academy boys decided to take their boots of and even the competition against the Xavier boys who had been playing barefoot all game.  The second act of kindness was when year 12 student David Fruzcalzo handed his boots to a local boy after the game.

“We were really proud of the way our boys took the initiative to take their boots off and level the playing field as such” says MSA HAPE teacher and AFL coach Andrew Komp. “ from that action and the action of David to hand his boots over at the end of the game, we decided that we could do a lot more to make an impact on the Tiwi community and their kids.  Footy is such a big part of the local culture that we came up with the idea of sending these boys our old boots, as most of the boys would be grown old of them before the start of next season.”

Mr Komp also thanked local football club Spotswood FC for their involvement in the initiative, “ Spotswood have enhanced our delivery by providing over 30 footballs which will also be sent with our shipment of boots, giving the kids a real chance to participate in our great game.”  We would also like to thank Downer Group of providing the transport of the equipment to the Tiwi Islands free of charge .”

Angela Ballard representing Downer Group says it’s a great way for a local community in Melbourne to make a difference. “ Being a parent of one of the athletes who went on the camp, I was really touched by the spirit in which the boys played the game.  Downer has a focused priority through Indigenous Engagement by ensuring they are making a valuable contribution towards increasing their Indigenous workforce and engaging with local Indigenous businesses across all projects nationally.  The Downer National Indigenous Specialist in Melbourne, Moana Matthews, will be delivering the football boots in person to her home town of Darwin where she has spent many years working across the Tiwi Islands with the local Aboriginal communities and families.  

Xavier Catholic College Health and PE Coordinator Josh Leane says “ We would really like to thank Maribyrnong Sports Academy and Downer Group for the kind generosity by your school and the community in regards to the donation of football boots and sporting gear. ​ Our students enjoyed meeting your students and the football game was one of the highlights for their term.  Having your students take their boots off really evened up the playing field and did give your students and insight into how Tiwi footy is played!!

The boots and balls are set to arrive just before the start of the football season in the Northern Territory which incorporates the “Wet Season”.

2018 Marby Cup

A favourite event on the Maribyrnong Sports Academy, The Marby Cup, was once again run around the famous Flemington Racecourse just weeks before crowds totaling 400,000 people converge on the home of racing for the spring carnival.  A beautiful day greeted our students as they arrived at Flemington with the roses in full bloom and the grass freshly cut.  A cracking pace was set for the 2.7 km run with Year 8 student Lachlan Attard taking line honors overall and year 10 student Bianca Puglisi leading the girl’s home.  A big thank you to all staff who helped organize the day and congratulations to all our students who were extremely well behaved.  Congratulations to all our place getters in all year levels. We also thank Racing Victoria and Flemington Racecourse for allowing us to use the facility so close to the running of the Melbourne Cup.

Placings for 2018 Marby Cup

Overall Placings

Girls                                                                                        Boys

1. Bianca Puglisi (Yr. 10)                                                         1. Lachlan Attard (Yr. 8)

2. Orla Grenfell-Fox (Yr. 8)                                                    2. Sam Rogers (Yr. 8)

3. Yara Taylor (Yr. 9)                                                              3. Massimo D’Ambrosio (Yr. 9)

Year Groups

Year 7 Girls                                                            Year 7 Boys

1. Bridie Collings                                                                     1. Shabir Sawiz

2. Montaya Sardi                                                                    2. Devesh Sri Deenathayalan

3. Broklyn Palu                                                                       3. Lorimer Bouman

Year 8 Girls                                                            Year 8 Boys

1. Orla Grenfell-Fox                                                                1. Lachlan Attard

2. Charlize Buna                                                                     2. Sam Rogers

3. Ellie Kewish                                                                        3. Rhys Bozinovski

Year 9 Girls                                                            Year 9 Boys

1. Yara Taylor                                                                          1. Massimo D’Ambrosio

2. Kiralee Collings                                                                   2. Billy Cootee

3. Olivia Manfre                                                                      3. Cody Baker

Year 10 Girls                                                          Year 10 Boys

1. Bianca Puglisi                                                                      1. Ben Rogers

2. Georgie Piespakis                                                               2. Fred Pace

3. Georgia Muller                                                                    3. Lucas Nikoloski

Year 11 Girls                                                          Year 11 Boys

1. Janae Mackrell                                                                    1. Noah Chinnama

2. Tully Watt                                                                           2. Aaron Hilton

3. Georgia Nelson                                                                  3. Benson Pisanelli

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.