STUDENT ATHLETE AGREEMENT 2024
1. MSA WILL PROVIDE:
1.1 A holistic individual development program and a high-performance environment that balances academic achievement and sporting
excellence.
1.2 High Performance Coaching program and competition (where applicable).
1.3 Access to strength and conditioning staff, programs, equipment and facilities.
1.4 Personal development programs including camps, guest speakers and excursions (varies for each year level).
1.5 Counselling to take into account subject selection, course variations, US College advice, career and sport goals, time management
schedules, work experience opportunities, sport periodization plans, major competition and training cycles etc.
1.6 General Sports Psychology and Sports Nutrition education.
1.7 “Athlete Friendly” services including flexible academic timetables, flexible learning plans (subject to meeting the criteria), negotiated
work deadlines, e-learning support when absent, after school tutoring, etc.
1.8 Athlete Services including Performance Psychology, Sports Dietetics, and Sports Physiotherapy for student-athletes to access in a 1:1
capacity, time permitting. Where required referral to relevant external providers will be discussed.
1.9 Rehabilitation staff with the specific role of managing injured student-athletes back to full fitness in conjunction with internal and
external stakeholders.
1.10 Interim academic reports every 5 weeks (with advice on whether the student athlete is up to date and indications on academic
progress and behaviour) with full reporting (including a specific MSA report) twice per year at the end of each Semester.
2. AS AN MSA STUDENT-ATHLETE I WILL:
2.1 Attend all scheduled Maribyrnong Sports Academy High Performance Coaching (HPC) sessions.
2.2 Fully engage in High Performance Preparation (HPP) sessions.
2.3 Comply with the rules and expectations of Maribyrnong College and all staff, coaches and mentors.
2.4 Be a good role model in the eyes of peers, teachers and coaches – live the MSA motto of Pride in Performance and the values of
Honesty, Leadership, Respect, Community and Determination.
2.5 Comply with the rules of my sport and demonstrate good sportsmanship and conduct at all sporting fixtures and training sessions.
2.6 Maintain a satisfactory rate of academic progress and a positive attitude to my studies. The expectation for student athletes is that a
C grade average is maintained across all studies (a Grade Point Average or GPA of 6.0 or higher including academic and behavioural
assessments at a minimum level of “Good” on the College assessment scale).
2.7 Select the MSA HPP program electives at the appropriate year levels.
2.8 Wear the appropriate uniform (College or MSA uniform) within school and on all occasions when representing the MSA program
externally.
2.9 Be available for selection in school sporting teams when required and compete to the best of your ability (Note: MSA commits to state
and national pathway opportunities taking precedence over school competitions).
3. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
3.1 To maximise the effectiveness of the athletic development program and minimise likelihood of injury, I commit to not having any external
provider of strength and conditioning programs without discussion with MSA’s Strength & Conditioning staff.
It is acknowledged that those in State and National Squads may have specific programs prescribed for them which will be supported however communication between MSA and external staff will ensure appropriate training loads.
4. ANTI-DOPING
4.1 The Maribyrnong College/Maribyrnong Sports Academy condemns the use of performance enhancing drugs and doping practices in
sport. You agree to take no drugs or substances that will modify growth, behaviour or performance. You also agree to comply with the
Anti-Doping Policy of Sport Australia or your chosen sport, as applicable.
5.BREACH BY MARIBYRNONG SPORTS ACADEMY STUDENT ATHLETE
5.1 If you do not comply with any term of this Agreement, MSA may suspend or remove you from the program.
5.2 Students failing to make satisfactory academic progress will initially be placed on a personal improvement program after counselling.
Ongoing unsatisfactory academic progress and effort will result in student-athletes being suspended from the program and ultimately
removed if academic progress and effort does not improve.
5.3 Any student removed from the program for breaches of this agreement will be permitted to continue their education at Maribyrnong
College.
6. FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS:
6.1 Student-athletes are reviewed every 12 months to determine whether they retain their Sports Academy scholarship for the following
year. Consideration of scholarships will be based on the following key areas;
- High Performance Coaching Program Report.
- HPP Report/Engagement.
- Sport Engagement/Pathway Progression.
- Academic Achievement (Grade Point Average), Effort and Classroom Behaviour.
- MSA Activity Engagement (Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, Marby Cup, etc.) and General School Engagement/Behaviour.
Note: students will not lose their scholarship in the event that their Pathway progression has stalled, or they are not at a junior elite level at this stage. All factors will be taken into account and a student who is engaged and performing well in every other area will continue as a scholarship holder.
PARENT/CARERS SECTION
1. MEDICAL
If my child is ill, injured or involved in an accident, I acknowledge that emergency medical treatment may be administered, and I agree to pay for the cost of any such treatment.
It is recommended that Maribyrnong Sports Academy students are covered by private health insurance due to higher risk of injury due to training and competition.
2. INJURY INFORMATION
I acknowledge that relevant injury information being provided by MSA Rehabilitation staff to MSA Coaches, Teachers and/or HPP Staff for the purpose of limiting or modifying participation in Training, School Sport, HPP and/or other school activities as applicable.
3. TRAVEL
I acknowledge that my child may travel to and from High Performance Coaching program and competition venues as part of the MSA Program in a school bus or in a staff member’s car (with other students).
In the event that a staff member needs to travel alone with a student-athlete prior approval will be sought with the exception of an emergency situation.
4. ATHLETE SERVICES
4.1 Individual consultations with Performance Psychologists and Sports Dietitians are offered within the MSA Program, availability permitting, parental consent will be obtained prior to initial appointments.
4.2 Individual consultations with Sport & Exercise Physiotherapists, are offered within the MSA Program. Please note that upon accepting the student-athlete agreement, consent for your child to access the above services is standing. Communication post all appointments and advice on management pathways required will be provided.
5. MEDIA CONSENT
I acknowledge that my child may be photographed, filmed or interviewed and for publication of same for promotional purposes or as part of a school approved Maribyrnong Sports Academy activity.
6. RESEARCH CONSENT:
I acknowledge that data collected about my child, as part of their regular MSA Program, may be used for research purposes with Victoria
University and other research partners of Maribyrnong Sports Academy. I understand that for group reporting purposes (ie. internal reports,
staff professional development presentations, scientific journals) my child’s data will be de-identified (anonymous). I understand that any
research project/data collection outside of the regular MSA program will require additional consent.
Withdrawing consent will not have any impact on my child’s relationship with Maribyrnong Sports Academy, research partners and any
Maribyrnong Sports Academy staff members. Should you wish to opt out of the above, please inform MSA in writing via
msa@maribsc.vic.edu.au
7. PAYMENT:
I agree to pay all MSA and other applicable school fees, as outlined in the College Payment Policy, when they are due.
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