Sports Academy | St Joseph's College

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Sports Academy

“It’s not about winning at the Olympic Games, it’s about trying to win. The motto is faster, higher, stronger, not fastest, highest, strongest. Sometimes it’s the trying that matters.” – Bronte Barratt

Sports Academy

Year 7 (2027) Sports Academy Application

Applications open: Wednesday 15 July 2026

Year 8-12 (2027) Sports Academy Application (Closed)

Applications open: August/September 2026

Our Sports Academy aims to enhance our students’ athletic ability and nurture their passion through engaging theory and practical-based learning objectives. Students at Kildare Campus have an enriched physical education curriculum utilising existing student experience to deepen whole person growth across a broad range of sports industry topics. At the senior level, students work with the Sports Academy Leader to produce a fully individualised learning plan that brings together the network required to support student athlete development and training schedules. The academy provides non-traditional approaches to education provision beyond the classic school year, including flexible academic planning, to enable students to achieve their best in dual pathways without compromise to either. The academy focuses directly on whole person growth to create outstanding people through their passion for sport. All that matters in sport, matters in life, and through this program we aim to optimally prepare our student athletes for life.

Opportunities through partnerships and collaboration include:

Engagement with high level coaches, qualified staff, and industry professionals
Individually tailored programs designed to produce optimum performance for each student
Coaching camps
Expanding the College and student athletes’ career network
Tertiary pathway partnerships
Tours and additional sporting opportunities

Sports Academy Selection Process:

Applicants must provide:

Application pro-forma
A one minute video addressing:

A bit about yourself
A personal hero
Why you are passionate about sport
Why you want to be part of the SJC Sports Academy
What you are most proud of (this can relate to any aspect of your life not just sport)

Shortlisted students will be interviewed
Students will then be invited to join the academy

Sports Academy Selection Criteria:

Sports

A highly developed sporting ability in at least one field/or the potential to perform at an elevated level
Comprehensive student athlete curriculum vitae with at least three references
Proven performance and desire to enhance both personal and team performance at representative level

Academic

A positive attitude and commitment to academic study
Consistently achieving quality results in all subject areas

Personal Development

Proven performance in behaviour, attitude and work ethic to sports and academics
A positive attitude and commitment to whole person growth and development
A high level of commitment and motivation in pursuit of personal success
Consistently demonstrates and lives the College values

SELECTION CRITERIA

STUDENT AGREEMENT

Sports Academy Student Journey

Year 7

4 periods/cycle, blocked class, students withdrawn from standard curriculum HPE class.

Focus: Goal setting and Healthy Habits, Nutrition for Life

Year 10

Semester elective, 4 periods/cycle. Accelerated VET Sport and Recreation.

Focus: Sports Performance Analysis, Athlete Anatomy and Physiology, Coaching and Leadership.

Year 8

4 periods/cycle, blocked class, students withdrawn from standard curriculum HPE class.

Focus: Sports Ethics and Respectful Relationships, Strong Mind Strong Athlete, Finance for Athletes.

Year 11-12

VET Certificate or New Metrics Competency Portfolio.

Focus: Completion of Certificate, Competency in Agency in Learning.

Year 9

6 periods/cycle, linked to project-based learning day.

Focus: Athletic Safety, Statistics of Sport, Physics of Sport

Sports Academy Leader

Elle McDonald

Elle McDonald is an Australian netballer and experienced health and physical education teacher who joined St Joseph’s College as our Sports Academy Leader in mid-2026.

Elle's ability to balance elite sport with her professional career makes her an incredible role model for our young athletes and we are excited about the impact she will have in our academy setting.

As a netballer, Elle developed through Victoria's elite pathway system. Before reaching Super Netball, she represented the Victorian Fury and was part of the 2019 Australian Netball League premiership-winning team. She was also selected in the 2019 Victorian Netball League Team of the Year.

Melbourne Vixens

Her breakthrough came when she joined the Melbourne Vixens training environment in 2020. She travelled with the Vixens to the Queensland Hub during the COVID-affected season and made her Super Netball debut in 2020. The Vixens went on to win the premiership that season, earning Elle a premiership medal in her first year at the elite level.

Adelaide Thunderbirds

Seeking greater court opportunities, Elle signed with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2021 season. She played across centre and wing attack and was valued for her maturity, movement, and ability to connect attacking play through the midcourt.

England and International Opportunities

Elle later moved to the UK, playing for the Leeds Rhinos before joining the Cardiff Dragons in the Netball Super League. She quickly became a leader within those programs, serving in vice-captaincy roles.

Elle’s story is a strong example of perseverance. Unlike many elite athletes who debut as teenagers, she took a longer pathway through state leagues, development squads, coaching, and teaching before finally earning her Super Netball opportunity in her mid-20s. Her career demonstrates that athletes can continue developing and reach elite levels even if they are not identified as stars at a very young age.

For students in our sports academy, Elle’s journey highlights:

• persistence through non-linear pathways

• balancing sport with education and career development

• leadership and professionalism

• making the most of opportunities when they arise.

As the current captain of the Bendigo Strikers (VNL), Elle brings great depth, talent and experience to the role of our Sports Academy Leader and we are delighted to welcome her into the St Joseph’s College community.

Sports Academy Head Coaches

CASEY FRAME

Netball

GUY CAMPBELL

Strength & Conditioning

Guy Campbell leads the Strength and Conditioning program for Sports Academy students from Years 7 to 12, working across every sport to help students build the physical and mental foundations for long-term success.
His coaching philosophy is simple: develop strong, athletic and resilient young people before focusing on sport-specific performance. Guy believes that confidence, discipline and consistency are just as important as strength and speed, and is passionate about helping students become better athletes and better people.
The owner of Titan Training, Guy works with clients of all ages and abilities, supporting everyone from aspiring junior athletes to adults pursuing their own health and fitness goals. He holds a Level 1 Strength & Conditioning qualification, Certificates III and IV in Fitness, and brings a lifetime of experience in high-performance sport to his coaching.
Guy's football background spans every level of the game. He has been involved with the Bendigo Pioneers Talent League as both a player and development coach, worked within the VFL and AFL systems with Bendigo, Essendon and the Sydney Swans, represented Victoria and Australia at major league level, and coached athletes across both junior and senior programs.
Away from the field, Guy enjoys trail running and has completed ultra-marathon events (100km+), reflecting the endurance and resilience he encourages in his athletes.
Above all, Guy is passionate about mentoring young people. He helps students understand the connection between succeeding at school, in sport and in life by developing strong habits, discipline, leadership and character that will serve them well beyond their sporting journey.

REGAN SMITH

Basketball

Regan brings extensive high-performance coaching experience and a deep understanding of athlete development through his work with Basketball Victoria and the Bendigo Braves.
For the past four years, he has coached within the Basketball Victoria talent pathway, leading some of the state's most promising junior athletes. As Head Coach at the Southern Cross Challenge, Albury Cup and Jamboree, Regan has worked with players on the pathway towards Under 16 and Under 18 national selection. He also serves as the Future Development Program (FDP) Sub Hub Lead Coach for the Echuca region, overseeing training sessions and development camps for emerging athletes.
At the Bendigo Braves, Regan is the 2026 CBL Men's Head Coach, leading the club's men's development program, and is part of the coaching team for the Under 16 Division 1 program, stepping into the Head Coach role for the 2026/27 season.
Passionate about developing both people and players, Regan is committed to helping young athletes build their skills, confidence and character in a positive, high-performance environment.

REGIS
CHAKABVA

Cricket

With over 15 years of professional cricket experience and a lifelong passion for soccer, Regis Chakabva brings a wealth of international sporting expertise to the St Joseph's College Sports Academy.
Regis represented Zimbabwe on the world stage, playing more than 130 international matches across all formats of the game – including 22 Tests, 61 One Day Internationals and 49 T20 Internationals. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he notched up a Test century and led Zimbabwe as captain in One Day Series against both Australia and India. He was also part of the Zimbabwean squad that competed in the 2022 T20 World Cup, facing off against cricketing powerhouses India, Pakistan and South Africa in front of packed stadiums – including more than 80,000 fans at the MCG.
A talented all-round athlete, Regis also played competitive soccer before his professional cricket career took off. Now living in Moama with his wife and two young children, Regis has embraced the opportunity to share his skills and passion for both sports with the next generation.
He's proud to be part of the Sports Academy team, where he's driven by a deep belief in the power of sport to teach discipline, build resilience and shape strong character – lessons that last well beyond the game.

MATTHEW
CARNIE

AFL

Matt Carnie brings a wealth of football coaching experience and a genuine passion for player development to our Sports Academy program. With a strong focus on nurturing talent and helping young athletes grow both on and off the field, Matt thrives on seeing students reach their full potential.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, Matt has worked as a Satellite Coach and Assistant Coach with the Bendigo Pioneers, including a key role in the Under 18 Girls program. In 2024, he took on dual roles as Assistant Coach and Coach in the Under 15 VLine program, further deepening his experience working with emerging talent at the representative level.
Matt has also contributed extensively to grassroots football, coaching at a number of local community clubs across the region. A passionate sportsman himself, he played both football and cricket, and now channels that same love of the game into every training session.
Dedicated to supporting the growth and development of young athletes, Matt brings energy, experience and a strong focus on high-performance outcomes to our Academy program.

Sports Academy Partners

Our Sports Academy is strengthened and enriched by the incredible support of our external partners. These partnerships – across our local community, regional, state-wide and international networks – play a vital role in helping us deliver inspiring, real-world learning opportunities for our students.

Whether it's through mentorship, performance, coaching, workshops, or access to professional experiences, our partners bring expertise, passion and perspective that elevate every aspect of our academy.

We are deeply grateful for their contribution and commitment to nurturing the next generation of sporting talent.

If you or your organisation are interested in collaborating with us and supporting the growth of young people through Sport, we'd love to hear from you. Please email our Director - School of Excellence Carri Carter to explore how you could be involved.