Our Whole College
Sports Program

St Joseph’s is a member of School Sports Victoria (SSV) which offers our students a wide range of sporting activities to progress through from the Campaspe region (at local level) to state level, which involves representation in Melbourne.

Students can qualify through our school events such as our swimming sports, athletics and cross country to progress through the Campaspe, Loddon Mallee Region and then state level.

Teams are also selected internally for the following team sports:

Netball
Basketball
Soccer
Tennis
Equestrian
AFL (Girls and Boys)
Cricket
Clay Target Shooting

The coming together of these teams gives students a sense of belonging to our school community. It enables them to display sportsmanship and teamwork by representing our school and provides the opportunity for students to extend this sportsmanship through interaction with other schools participating under the Campaspe and Loddon Mallee Region areas.

Our junior students also have the opportunity to assist in umpiring netball and football with primary schools as part of the local primary competition. These students are highly regarded in the primary school community and seen as mentors to the primary school students.

Sporting Team Selection Guidelines

At St Joseph's College, sport plays a vital role in developing our students as confident, resilient and community-minded individuals. We proudly compete in a wide range of competitions under School Sport Victoria (SSV) and provide opportunities for both participation and high performance. Our selection process reflects the College’s values of Strength & Kindliness and students should take pride in representing St Joseph’s on and off the field.

Pathways for Representation

All St Joseph’s College sporting teams participate through the School Sport Victoria structure, which includes:

Campaspe Division

Loddon Mallee Region (LMR)

State Championships

St Joseph’s is also prepared to “top up” other teams in the Campaspe region.

Additionally, our Senior Boys Football and Senior Girls Netball teams represent the College in elite-level pathways:

SSV Premier League

Victorian Schools Netball Championships

Team Categories

Junior Teams - Year 7 & 8 students

Intermediate Teams - Year 9 & 10 students

Senior Teams - Year 11 & 12 students

Sports We Offer

Netball, Football, Cricket, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Individual sports

Selection Process

1. Trials

Trials are advertised through Compass & morning bulletin.

Students must attend all trial sessions unless a valid reason (e.g. illness/injury) is communicated to the Head of Sport/coach beforehand.

Trials are run by the appointed coach, with support from PE staff and, where possible, VET helpers.

2. Selection Criteria

Teams are selected based on the following:

Skill level and understanding of the game

Fitness and work rate

Attitude, effort, and behaviour in class and during training

Teamwork and communication

Coachability and ability to follow instruction

Note: A student’s conduct around the College and commitment to their academic responsibilities are considered when representing the school.

3. Selection Panel

Each team is selected by:

The appointed Coach/es

The Head of Sport

Supporting PE staff or specialist teachers

Decisions are made with fairness and student development in mind.

Premier League & Netball Championships

Our Senior Premier League and Victorian Netball Championships teams represent the College at an elite level.

These teams follow a more rigorous selection process that may include:

Pre-season or lunchtime training sessions

Fitness and skill-based testing

Internal practice matches or match simulations

Selected students are expected to:

Display outstanding commitment to training and team culture

Lead by example in behaviour and effort

Positively represent St Joseph’s College in the wider sporting community

Year 10 Participation in Senior Teams

In some instances, Year 10 students may be invited to participate in Senior Premier League or Championship teams to support their development or meet team needs.

*Important SSV Rule

A Year 10 student may play in up to 3 Premier League matches without losing eligibility for the Intermediate team.

If a Year 10 student plays a 4th match in Premier League, they become ineligible to return to the Intermediate team for the remainder of the year.

All decisions regarding this rule are made collaboratively between:

The Head of Sport

The relevant team coaches

The student

Team Announcements

Final team lists are published via Compass and are emailed to students.

Students who are not selected are encouraged to seek feedback and continue engaging with school sport opportunities.

For further information, please refer to our Sporting Team Procedure.

Sports Team

St Joes Head shots & art dept May '25 - cindy power-1-4.jpg

Justin Cantwell is a proud Echuca local, having grown up and played sport within the community for much of his life. He says there's nothing quite like being part of such a vibrant sporting culture, and it's that experience that fuels his passion for the role of Head of Sport at St Joseph's College.

Justin completed his studies at university in Ballarat, where he continued playing football, building friendships and immersing himself in a new community. That love of sport as a means of connection, later took him overseas, where he served as president of the AFL club the Putney Magpies in London, a role that gave him lifelong friendships and a deep appreciation for the community spirit sport creates, no matter where you are in the world. It was during his time leading the club that Justin discovered a real passion for the organisational side of sport, bringing people together, building programs, and creating the kind of environment where a sporting community can thrive.

When Justin moved home to Echuca, he got back into football with United before eventually retiring from competitive sport. Since then, he's thrown himself into the local running community, which he’s come to love.

Whether on the field, the track, or behind the scenes organising it all, Justin brings a genuine passion for community, connection and everything sport can build.

Justin Cantwell, Head of Sport