Connor Metcalfe makes the Olyroos squad

When Maribyrnong Sports Academy Alumni Connor Metcalfe looks back at 2021 in his history book, June and July will stand out as being 2 of the most amazing months of his professional football career.

For in the space of 60 days Connor will have debuted for his country as a Socceroo in the World Cup qualifiers, have won an A-League title for his club Melbourne City, been named in the Players Association A-League team of the year and played at the Olympics in Tokyo as an Olyroo. 

It’s an amazing rise to the top for Connor who always showed potential throughout his day at MSA according to Football head coach Adrian Mazzarella, “ From day 1, Connor was exceptional. Aside from being technically and tactically advanced. His determination to improve was outstanding. It was evident on the pitch, in the gym and with the extra’s he did on his rest days.”

Connor was nominated for a Sporting Blue award with School Sport Victoria back in 2013.  His nomination was as follows:

Connor Metcalfe had a remarkable year in 2013. Joining the Maribyrnong Sports Academy football from Newcastle, Connor (13) already exudes leadership qualities and skills beyond his age.

At the recent Bill Turner Cup tournament, Connor was integral to the success of the Maribyrnong College who finished fourth out of 500+ schools from around the country. 

After being a standout player for Victoria at the 2013 FFA National Youth Championships, Connor continued to work hard to improve his game and last month was rewarded with a National Training Centre scholarship (NTC) for his efforts, making him one of the youngest in the history of the program to be offered a scholarship. 

To go with the Sports Academy standards of a student-athlete, Connor has been a strong student academically and he displays the behavioural traits to be a considerate and polite student. In a sporting sense, it is clear that beyond the warmth of Connor's character lies an inner determination to succeed. 

On behalf of all at MSA we are so proud to see Connor make it into the Australian National and Olympic teams and congratulate him on becoming the 5th Maribyrnong Sports Academy Student in this year’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.  He joins Cyclist Lucas Plapp, Badminton player Gronya Somerville, Taekwondo star Reba Stewart and Table Tennis Paralympian Nathan Pellissier.

MSA Alumni Jordan Boyd picked by Carlton in Mid Season Draft

Former Spotswood Primary School student and Maribyrnong Sports Academy Athlete Jordan Boyd has been given a 6 month AFL contract after being picked up by the Carlton Football club with pick number 20 in the AFL 2021 Mid-Season draft.

Jordan made the transition from Spotswood Primary school in 2010 moving into the Maribyrnong Sports Academy AFL program the following year graduating from the academy after completing his VCE in 2016.

 Jordan is a true Spotswood local having played all his junior football for the Spotswood Football club in the WRFL and has also played games in the Spotswood Seniors when not playing for the Footscray Bulldogs in the VFL.

The small forward came under the recruiters eyes on debut for Footscray when they played Richmond in the VFL.  Jordan kicked 3 goals in that round 14 game against the eventual 2019 Premiers and raised eyebrows.

Head of List Management at Carlton Nick Austin told the Carlton FC Website that Boyd’s story was one of perseverance.

“We’re really pleased to be able to add Jordan to our football program,” Austin said.

“He’s 22 years of age and someone who has fought for everything that’s come his way: he really grasped the opportunity of VFL footy with both hands and we feel he’s the kind of player who can thrive in an AFL environment.

“We’ve liked his work mainly as a forward but he’s also someone who can get involved and work up the ground. He’s a good ball user and a lovely finisher around goal, so we think he’s going to complement what we’ve got in that forward mix.”

Carlton now has 3 former MSA student athlete’s on their list as Boyd joins Josh Honey and Sam Ramsey as Alumni of the Academy at the Blues.

We wish Jordan all the best, and look forward to hopefully seeing him putting on the Navy Blue jumper sometime this year.

MSA represented in Netball State Team

Two Maribyrnong Sports Academy students have been selected in the starting squad for the Victorian U17 Netball team which will play at the National Championships in Tasmania in July.

Year 12 student athlete Kiralee Collings and Year 11 student athlete Akira Mccormack were selected in the Under 17 State Team while Montaya Sardi was selected in the Under 17 Development squad

Former Australian Netball player and MSA Netball Coach Eloise Southby believes these girls should be very proud of what they achieved. “ I have spoken to the three girls and they are extremely excited about their selection in the Victorian U17 squads. Maribyrnong Sports Academy should also be very proud that it has produced 3 players for the Victorian team ( 2 in the squad and 1 emergency), This is a very rare occurrence to have so many players from the one school in a State netball team and everyone involved in the program should be congratulated.”

MSA Sports Director Mark McAllion says it’s great to see their hard work at the academy pay off. “All our academy student/athletes do an extra two to three sessions a week more than the normal club athlete due to their commitment to our High Performance Coaching sessions.  Our Athletes are aware that by putting in the extra work either before or after school in their respective HPC sessions the rewards will come, and these selections are a perfect example of that.”

Victoria hasn’t won the championships since 2014, South Australia though have dominated, winning four of the past five championships.