Victoria University Announces a Million Dollar Investment by Dr Susan Alberti AC

Maribyrnong Sports Academy would like to congratulate Dr Susan Alberti AC on her recent investment of one million dollars in establishing The Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair, in conjunction with Victoria University.

To read more about the partnership click here

New Technical Director of Football Appointed

Adrian Mazzarella has been appointed Technical Director of the Football (Soccer) Program at Maribyrnong Sports Academy, moving into the position made vacant by Arthur Pappas earlier this year. 

A current teacher at Maribyrnong College, Adrian is also coaching within our Football program.  While the new role will have Adrian overseeing the program and building on the strong foundations which are already in place, his primary role is to take the program to new heights, working closely with the current coaches:

·      Brian Vanega – FFA Program head coach

·      Agim Sherifovski – Head Coach year 7 and 8

·      Jeremy Walker – Head Coach year 9 and 10

·      Peter Zois - Program Co-Ordinator 

Adrian’s background is very well suited to the role having been a player, teacher and coach both in Australia and in Europe.  Adrian has coached at various levels in the elite pathway including being the Victorian Head Coach at Under 16 & Under 19 levels, been an NPL level Technical Director and a Youth Coach for Melbourne City.  Adrian has high level football coaching qualifications including a UEFA B Licence and in 2012 was named the Victorian Champions League Coach of the Year.

To see Adrian’s full profile at https://www.sportsacademy.maribsc.vic.edu.au/adrian-mazzarella/

Adrian is taking charge of the program at an exciting time with recent successes including former student-athlete Seb Pasquali being named the Young Socceroos captain, and 15 year old’s Nia Stamatopoulos and Idrus Abdulahi doing well within the senior ranks at Melbourne City FC.  Also many other student-athletes within the program are progressing to higher levels.

Mr. Mazzarella says he’s extremely excited about starting the new role. “ I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with and develop young players that are already doing exceptionally well in the sport plus the opportunity to work more closely with various organisations outside the school, and working together to develop our young talent further.  I am also really looking forward to working closely with an exceptional group of young coaches here at the Academy and enhancing the great environment we already have which sees a great balance between education and sport.”

The staff and students of Maribyrnong College and the Sports Academy would like to congratulate Adrian on his appointment.

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”.