Jayden Kim becomes a Pirate

Year 10 MSA Student Athlete Jayden Kim has signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after impressing again at the U18 World Cup.  

Jayden arrived at Maribyrnong Sports Academy 2 years ago, after living the first 14 years of his life in Sth Korea.  Jayden's father David who had a 7 year professional baseball career in Sth Korea, sourced out MSA for his son due to its ability to have a have a focus on sport as well as education.

Since Jayden has been at MSA he has made two Australian U18 World Cup teams, and has been a strong performer for Victoria in the National Youth Championships.  Jayden praising MSA for the role it has played in his career. " Maribyrnong was very good for me, as it tought me the disciplne of getting up at 6am two mornings a week for training.  It basically gave me the experience that I would have had at a college."

“From the very beginning of my baseball journey, my goal was always to become a professional baseball player,” says Kim. “I have worked hard towards achieving my dream and as I got older i had more scouts and teams looking at me, it then made me think that my dream could come true.”

Jayden begins his Professional Baseball Career in the Dominican Republic in February.  "I will play around 70 games of rookie ball in the Dominican Republic and hopefully impress enough to then start working my way through the minor leagues."

Jayden's now joins rare company as one of just 26 Australians who currently possess an MLB-affiliated contract. Former MSA and Maribyrnong College student Declan Speirs is also in the Dominican Republic having signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Score 121223

Once again, our Alumni have been front and centre playing sport both here and abroad.  Here’s their results.

AFLW

Georgie Prespakis has won Geelong’s 2023 AFLW best and fairest award after an amazingly strong season on the field.  In her third season of AFLW, she enjoyed career best season stats, averaging 24 disposals, 7 tackles, and 6 clearances a game.

Georgie polled 188 votes to win the award and finished ahead of fellow midfielders Nina Morrison (163 votes) and Amy McDonald (82 votes).

Monique Conti remains the only Richmond AFLW player to win the clubs best and fairest claiming her 5th consecutive award this season.  Monique polled 23 votes to win by 2 from fellow 2023 All Australian Ellish Sheerin (21 votes) and winger Kate Dempsey (20 Votes) who led the count after round 6.

Mon has now won 6 consecutive Best and Fairest having been named the Bulldogs best player in 2019, her final year at the club.

In other AFLW clubs Best and Fairest news, Georgia Petrikios finished 3rd at St Kilda, while Jess Fitzgerald won the best young player award at the Western Bulldogs.

Meanwhile Libby Birch has been traded from Melbourne to North Melbourne for season 2024.  The Kangaroos have given Melbourne pick 19 in next week’s draft with North getting Libby and pick 35.

AFL

Zak Butters has been named vice captain of the Port Adelaide FC going into his 6th year with the club.  Zak had an amazing 2023 season being named as a debutant in the AFL All Australian team.

Badminton

Gronya Somerville has been playing in the Guwahati Masters in India where along with partner Kenneth Choo made it through to the round of 16 before a straight set’s loss 21-19, 21-17.

Basketball

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Johnny Furphy and the Kansas Jayhawks who have defeated UConn by 4 points, Johnny scoring 6 points in the game.  The Jayhawks also defeating cross town rival Kansas City by 19 points with Johnny scoring 10 points and 2 rebounds.  The Jayhawks then beat Missouri by 9 points to make it 5 wins in a row, with Johnny getting 4 rebounds in 7 minutes game time.

International Football

Connor Metcalfe came on for FC St Pauli in the 68th minute in their 1 all draw with Vfl Osnabruck.

A-League

Seb Pasquali came on in the 46th minute while Matt Grimaldi came on in the 79th minute in Western United’s loss to Central Coast Mariners 4-0.

Newcastle’s MelindaJ Barbieri came on in the 46th minute to replace Matilda, Emily Van Egmond in their 1-0 loss to Sydney.

Annabel Martin started for the Central Coast Mariners in their 3-0 loss to Western Sydney.

Naomi Chinnama came on in the 74th minutes in Melbourne City’s 3-1 loss to Perth Glory.

The Score 051223

Once again, our Alumni have been doing a great job here at home or in other places of the world.  Here is how they went.

AFLW Grand Final

North Melbourne v Brisbane – Lions won by 17 points.

Amy Smith had 7 disposals and 8 tackles for the runners up.

International Football

Naomi Chinnama started for the U23 Matildas in their game against Chinese Taipei.  The U23 Matildas won the game 3-1.

Conner Metcalfe started for FC St Pauli in their 2 all draw with Hamburger SV.

A-League

Sebastian Pasquale come onto the ground in the 88th while Matt Grimaldi came on in the 83rd minute in Western United’s 1-0 loss to Wellington.

Badminton

Gronya Somerville was in India for the past week playing in the Syed Modi International 2023, with her mixed doubled partner Kenneth Choo they lost in the Round of 32 19-21, 21-17, 19-21.

Jacob Schueler was in Wales for the weekend at the Yonex Welsh International, He was knocked out in the Round of 32 stage, His Swiss opponent Tobias Kuenzi 12-21, 13-21.

Golf

Stephanie Bunque has missed the cut in the Australian Open played at Australian Golf Club and The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.  Steph had rounds of 77 and 75.

Shield Cricket

Fergus O’Neil took his first ‘10 wickets for the match’ in the Bushrangers Sheffield Shield win over South Australia.  He took 5/28 in the first innings then followed it up with 5/83 in the second.  He also did well with the bat making 25 and 23 in both innings. And congratulations to Fergus who has also signed a contract with the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Big Bash League Season.

Cycling.

Lucas Plapp has won the Time Trial at the Tour of Bright by a massive 52 seconds over the weekend.  It was Luke’s first race back on home soil. He also finished 9th overall in the Road Race.

Tennis

Congratulations to our Tennis Athletes here at MSA for winning the bronze medal at the Gallipoli Youth Cup 2023. Both boys and girls team brought home the bronze in a very strong display of Tennis at Albury.

Basketball

Zac Triplett played minimal time for Melbourne United in their 115-103 NBL loss to the Cairns Taipans.