Spotlight: Naomi Chinnama

Naomi Chinnama is making waves in the world of women’s football, once again being selected for the Young Matilda’s which is the Australian Women’s U20 soccer team.

Naomi finished her schooling here at Maribyrnong Sports Academy in 2020, before turning her attention on becoming a professional footballer while home schooling herself.

Naomi started playing football in the Point Cook U7 boys team where her father was coach.  Her brothers also played, and Naomi was the designated defender while her brothers were the attackers in the team. 

She joined Maribyrnong Sports Academy in 2017 in Year 7 and continued to grow as a player and a student through her junior years.  Her PE teachers all describe her as a highly motivated person who was 100% dedicated to improving herself on and off the field.  A true leader in the making.

MSA Head Coach Adrian Mazzarella says “ Naomi has always been a student of the game. Always wanting to progress, looking to constantly improve her knowledge of the game, her technique as well as her physical conditioning. She has always had a growth mindset, appreciating feedback and not afraid to make mistakes. Most importantly, Naomi remained motivated to balance her Football and academic studies, pursing excellence in both.”

Naomi is currently with the Melbourne City Women’s team and described her playing style to the Football Australia website, “I would say that I'm composed under pressure. I analyse my game to help me with my tactical awareness. I see myself as a leader and I am also physical. I would describe myself as a warrior on the field because I will fight for my team until the end.

My team is basically my second family, so I just give it everything. I also have a passion for clean sheets, so I do take it personally if someone scores against us.”

Naomi sent this message of inspiration to our current student here at MSA.

We look forward to following Naomi’s progress over the upcoming years and know that she will take every challenge head on.  Good luck in the AFC Championships Naomi.

MSA Spotlight - WE 040623

It’s a medal winning World Championship week for our MSA Alumni.  There have been some amazing performances by our past students.  Check them out here.

Taekwondo

For the first time in 18 years Australia has won a medal at the Taekwondo World Championships, and it was won by our very own Leon Sejranovic who claimed bronze in the Men’s 75kg class.  Leon is currently one of our assistant Taekwondo coaches here at MSA and was coached by Olympian and former MSA Head Coach Ryan Carneli.  Leon now has to reset his focus on competing at the Roma 2023 Grand Prix in the heavier -80kg category next week. Congratulations to Leon and Ryan for an outstanding result.

Another former MSA Student, Olympian Reba Stewart, lost 2-1 in the round of 16 in the Women’s +73kg division. 

International Football

The young Matilda’s started off their 2nd round AFC Championships qualifiers with a 5-0 victory over Lebanon.  The temperature in Vietnam was pushing 40 degrees during the match and our own Naomi Chinnama started for the Young Matilda’s and was subbed off in the 75th minute.

A-League

After 2 years of Injury worries we say congratulations to MSA Alumni Seb Pasquali who as signed a contract with Western United for the 2023/24 season.

AFL

Melbourne v Carlton

Jordan Boyd had 9 disposals and 3 tackles in Carlton’s 17 point loss to the Demons at the MCG.

Port Adelaide v Hawthorn

Zak Butters had a fantastic game for the Power with 26 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles and a goal in Port Adelaide’s 55 point win over the Hawks at Adelaide Oval.

Gold Coast v Adelaide

After training by 35 points the Suns rallied to take a 25 point victory in Darwin against the Crows with Rory Atkins having 17 disposals and 395 meters gained. 

Essendon v Nth Melbourne

A last minute goal by “Super Sub” Massimo D’Ambrosio helped the Bombers get over the line by 6 points in a thriller at Marvel Stadium against the Kangaroos.  Massimo had 6 possessions and 2 tackles in the game after coming on and replacing Dylan Shiel at the 3 quarter time break.

Marby Spotlight 280523

It’s been a fairly quiet week for our MSA Alumni with only a few on show.  Here are some of their great performance.

International Football

Connor Metcalfe has returned to the starting line-up for his Bundesliga 2 team FC St Pauli in their 1 all draw with Karlsruher.  Connor was subbed out in the 75th minute.  FC St Pauli now sit 5th on the table with 2 games to go in the season and could finish as high as 4th.

Taekwondo

This week MSA Alumni Leon Sejranovic and Reba Stewart are competing in the World Taekwondo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.  Reba will be competing in the women’s 73+ division while Leon is in the men’s 74 kgs division.  We wish both of them the best.

Cycling

Lucas Plapp started in the tour of Norway for his professional team Ineos Grenadiers.  While Lucas drifted off toward the back of the pack in in the second stage, he played a critical role in helping two of his team mates Ben Tulett and Magnus Sheffield taking 1st and 2nd overall at the finish of the final stage.

AFL

Sydney v Carlton

Jordan Boyd had 14 touches including 9 kicks and 5 handballs in Carlton’s 26 point loss to the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Melbourne v Fremantle

Luke Ryan had 22 disposals and 11 marks in helping the Dockers defeat Melbourne at the MCG by 7 points.

Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs (Darwin)

Rory Atkins was subbed out for the Suns in their win over the Western Bulldogs.  Rory had 6 possessions before becoming a tactical sub.

Essendon v West Coast 

Massimo D’Ambrosio came onto the ground in the 3rd quarter to replace Nick Ryan.  Massimo had 4 kicks and 4 handballs in Essendon 50 point win over the Eagles.

Richmond v Port Adelaide

Zak Butters carved up the Tigers in his 32 possession game and kicked a goal in Port Adelaide’s 10 point victory at the MCG.

Collingwood v Nth Melbourne

Paul Curtis was subbed on for the Kangaroos and gathered 2 possessions and 2 tackles in Norths gritty loss to the Pies by 35 points.

Brisbane v Adelaide

 Cam Raynor has 15 possessions and 1 goal 1 in Brisbane’s loss to the Crows by 17 points.