sports academy
Offering Elite Opportunities
ABOUT OUR SPORTS ACADEMY
The Sports Academy is a full time integrated academic and sporting program that focuses on AFL, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Golf, Netball, Tennis and Volleyball. This strength based program allows talented and passionate young male and female student athletes to develop their sporting talent while receiving their secondary education concurrently. Rowville Sports Academy employs elite level coaches, has great facilities, employs partners to provide athletic development, strength and conditioning and physiotherapy services and has great success with developing talent. The Sports Academy is located on our Eastern Campus. Our Sports Academy vision:
“To be recognised by peak sporting organisations throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally as the best school based academy offering the ‘talented’ and ‘elite’ student athlete development programs in each sport.”
- Entry to RSA is by Try-Out and evaluation of academic progress. See enrolment information below.
- Students select one sporting program from AFL, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Golf, Netball, Tennis and Volleyball.
- Students can Try-Out for multiple sports.
- Students must complete a VCE or VCE-VM senior pathway.
- The Sports Academy offers USA College Pathways; please be aware there are strict requirements for this – see more information here.
Our sports
AFL
The program was launched in partnership with the Eastern Ranges Football Club a partnership, which has seen many of our students represent the Ranges, in the Victorian Football League’s elite junior pathway. This partnership also created RSA’s AFL coaching panel, which has remained unchanged since its inception.
BASKETBALL
RSA Basketball is recognised by other schools, basketball associations and by peak sporting bodies throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally for its elite student-athlete pathway.
CRICKET
The program utilises first class indoor facilities at Icon Arena as well as outdoor local municipal facilities near the school and occasionally facilities at Dandenong Premier Cricket Club’s Shepley Reserve.
FOOTBALL
Partnered by Melbourne City Football Club, as part of the City Group. Recognised by the football community, its clubs and organisations throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally as an elite student-athlete pathway.
GOLF
An inaugural RSA sport in partnership with Churchhill Waverley Golf & Bowls Club.
NETBALL
RSA netballers build their skills to develop their mental and physical capacities to enable them to reach their potential.
TENNIS
RSA Tennis players build their skills and to develop their mental and physical capacities to enable them to reach their potential.
VOLLEYBALL
With over 70 of our players that have gone on to represent Victoria and Australia. Many of our players are currently playing state league. Volleyball also has a clear pathway as in international sport in the USA and Canadian College systems.
sports academy ENROLMENT
All students wishing to apply for an enrolment opportunity into the Sports Academy must complete a multi-step process.
Students must attend a Try-Out for each of the sporting programs in which they wish to be considered for enrolment. Try-Out opportunities are now conducted as a part of the Elite Coaching Camps which are conducted in the Term 1 and Term 2 School Holiday breaks.
ELITE COACHING CAMPS
The RSA Elite Coaching Camps have a dual purpose;
- They are an opportunity for young athletes to gain access to the RSA Elite Coaching Teams and be exposed to a level of coaching and training that they may never have been exposed to before.
- They are an opportunity for students to trial for a future enrolment place within the RSA program at Rowville Secondary College. The Camps operate for three days and are consistent with a school day, running from 9am – 3pm. Elite Coaching Camps are suitable for students in Grade 5 through to Year 12.
Please complete the following steps:
- All interested students must submit an Expression of Interest.
- Please forward through a copy of your two most recent full school reports and a copy of your birth certificate or passport to; rsa@rowvillesc.vic.edu.au.
- Register to attend the Elite Coaching Camps for your opportunity to trial. These are complete for 2022/2023, please contact us direct for further information.
- All applicants’ submissions and trials will be assessed by the RSA Coaching Teams, RSA Operations Manager and Rowville Secondary College Principal Team.
- Please note there is a fee payable for Elite Coaching Camps.
SCHOOL TOURS
School tours run every Friday and every second Tuesday at 9.30am, Humphreys Way, Rowville. You must make a booking to attend our tours as places fill fast. School tours only operate during the school term.
sports academy enquiries
- Sports Academy Administrator
- PHONE: 03 9755 4651
- EMAIL: rsa@rowvillesc.vic.edu.au
- ADDRESS: Rowville Secondary College, Sports Precinct, Humphreys Way, Rowville.
Sports Academy Aims
- To provide the highest quality specialised sports programs including the best coaching, facilities and equipment.
- To develop strong partnerships with peak sporting organisations and related sports industries.
- To assist students to achieve an appropriate balance between their academic and sporting aspirations within a supportive educational environment.
- To promote a “culture of excellence” with focus on academic, personal and sporting development and performance through individualised programs.
TRAINING SESSIONS
The training sessions conducted during coaching periods involve skill sessions, strength and conditioning sessions and tactical sessions. The skill sessions involve sport coaches helping students develop in their respective sport through specialised drills.
Strength and conditioning sessions involve RISE Health Group exercise physiologists and university sport science students guiding RSA students through exercises that focus on developing components of fitness including strength, power, speed, agility, balance and flexibility. Tactical sessions are less frequent but still play a vital role in sport development. These sessions are held by sport coaches and may involve video analysis in addition to strategic discussions
ATHLETE HEALTH SERVICES
Physiotherapy
Although all RSA sport programs minimise the risk of injury through appropriate strength and conditioning practices and technique analysis, unfortunately not all injuries can be prevented. We work closely with RISE Health Group who provide on-site physiotherapy services free of charge for RSA students during school hours.
Podiatry
A physiotherapist is an expert in the assessment and treatment of pain and altered function (strength, flexibility, co-ordination, mobility). RISE Health physiotherapists specialise in treating sport and musculoskeletal injuries which makes them an ideal partner to entrust with the rehabilitation of RSA students. Physiotherapists use a range of techniques to rehabilitate athletes including soft tissue manipulation, supportive taping and strapping, exercise interventions and joint mobilisation.
RISE Health Group routinely provide podiatry services to RSA students on-site. Podiatrists specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders and lower limb problems. Podiatry is very valuable in a sporting context as many musculoskeletal problems and injuries can stem from the feet. Some techniques podiatrists use to reduce injuries and improve performance include joint mobilisation, biomechanical assessments, soft tissue manipulation and trigger point therapy, orthotic interventions and exercise interventions.
Dietetics
Dietetics services are also provided to students regularly by RISE Health Group. Dieticians are experts in nutrition and diet regulation. Educating RSA students on the role of nutrition in sport enables them to better control their body composition, sport performance and recovery.
Sports Psychology
Sport Psychology is an emerging discipline and focuses on improving sport performance from a mental aspect. RISE Health offer sport psychology services to RSA students as required. Some of the methods sport psychologists use to enhance sporting performance and improve mental health include educating students on anxiety management techniques, goal setting, mental imagery, self esteem and time management skills. We see sport psychology as a very valuable service for RSA students because being a talented athlete and wanting to achieve academically requires a huge time commitment and can be very stressful for students. Being able to see a professional may assist in reducing stress and improving student performance both academically and in their sport.
SPORT SCIENCE
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and conditioning (S&C) forms an integral part of sport programs. Carefully designed S&C programs allow athletes to improve components of fitness specific to their sport (e.g. strength, power, speed, endurance, balance, agility, etc.) S&C also plays a huge roll in injury prevention; by improving the amount of force muscles can endure reduces the risk of sustaining soft tissue injuries. Our S&C program is run by RISE Health Group Exercise Physiologists who have extensive experience in preparing young athletes for the demands their sport places on their bodies.
The S&C program involves drills that target specific components of fitness to improve sport performance. Some examples include resisted running and jumping (power), landing on unstable surfaces (balance), change of direction drills (agility) and specialised sprinting drills (speed). Complementing the on-court/on-field S&C drills, students also complete S&C sessions in the Rowville Sport Precinct fitness centre. The fitness centre is a modern gym with a mix of traditional and innovative training equipment. Training in the fitness centre allows students to learn the correct lifting technique for many exercises employed by elite sporting teams (e.g. bench press, squat, shoulder press, etc.).
Movement Analysis
The sports science program at RSA involves technique and movement analysis. RISE Health Group exercise physiologists and RSA coaches have experience in applying biomechanical principles to movement aimed at improving efficiency, accuracy and preventing injury. The evolution of technology in recent years has allowed coaches to record, analyse and give feedback to students immediately after performances. RSA coaches have access to Apple iPads with movement analysis apps to facilitate immediate feedback and PC software for more detailed analysis following training sessions.
Sports academy Curriculum
A balance of academic study and sports training
- At RSA we understand the importance of a quality education and strive to see students achieve their academic best. Although students participate in a significant amount of sport training, we have designed an academic curriculum that ensures they do not suffer academically.
- We create individual learning plans around our students and offer course counselling to assist students in discovering and pursuing their desired future pathway. We have assisted previous students in receiving USA college scholarships, gaining entry into their desired university or TAFE course, obtaining apprenticeships and receiving professional sport contracts.
- 1/3 of the curriculum is focused on sports and sports training. See below for year level overview.
- In Year 9 and 10, students will have the opportunity to select subject electives they are interested in.
- Year 11 and 12, students will select their senior pathway which is VCE and VCE-VM.
- Course selection takes place every year in July, early August, and our students entering Year 9 to Year 12 in the following year are counselled by our teachers and careers team. Visit our course selection website for more information.
- RSC offer our Year 10 students comprehensive one-on-one careers counselling, student and parent information sessions and the opportunity to attend careers expos. Our goal is to equip our students with everything they need to make the right decision about their senior pathway choice. We also have careers coordinators on both campuses.
Year level overview
YEAR 7 STUDENTS
PER SEMESTER
- English: 6 periods
- Maths: 6 periods
- Sports Specialism: 14 periods
ONE SEMESTER
- Science: 6 periods
- Humanities: 6 periods
- Digital Technologies / Health & PE: 4 periods
- Music / Visual Communication Design: 4 periods
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
YEAR 8 STUDENTS
PER SEMESTER
- English: 6 periods
- Maths: 6 periods
- Sports Specialism: 14 periods
ONE SEMESTER
- Science: 6 periods
- Humanities: 6 periods
- Health: 4 periods
- Art / Technology: 4 periods
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
YEAR 9 STUDENTS
PER SEMESTER
- English: 6 periods
- Maths: 6 periods
- Sports Specialism: 14 periods
PER YEAR
- 4 x 4 period electives (two per semester)
Student must select at least one choice from each of humanities and science. May select LOTE (year-long), arts and technology.
- 2 x 6 period electives (one per semester)
Students must select from technology, arts and Health & PE.
Visit course selection for elective choices and USA college pathways.
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
YEAR 10 STUDENTS
PER SEMESTER
- English: 6 periods
- Maths*: 6 periods
- Sports Specialism: 14 periods
*Maths Selection: students will be required to select a mathematics based on their planned pathway and teacher recommendation (Foundation, General and Methods. Visit course selection for more information.)
PER YEAR
- 4 x 4 period electives (two per semester)
Students must choose from LOTE (year long) and vocational (year long), humanities, technology, science and arts.
- 2 x 6 period electives (one per semester)
Students must select from arts, technology and VCE accelerated subjects.
Visit course selection for elective choices and USA college pathways.
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
YEAR 11 STUDENTS
VCE – PATHWAY
- 5 electives per year
- Sport specialism – 8 periods
Visit VCE course selection for elective choices.
VCE VM – PATHWAY
VCE VM students complete 5 subjects and 1 VET study in Year 11, and 4 subjects and a 1 VET study in Year 12. This will include:
- 4 Units of either English, English Language, Literature, or EAL (2 of which must Unit 3 and 4)
- 2 units of either VCE Foundation Math, – General/Further Math, or Math Methods
- 2 units of Personal Development
- 2 units of Work Related Skills
- A VET certificate (180 nominal hours at Cert II or above)
- 6 -8 additional VCE or VM units of your choice.
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
2 study periods.
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
VCE – PATHWAY
- 5 electives per year
- Sports Specialism – 6 periods
Visit VCE course selection for elective choices.
VCE-VM – PATHWAY
VCE VM students complete 5 subjects and 1 VET study in Year 11, and 4 subjects and a 1 VET study in Year 12. This will include:
- 4 Units of either English, English Language, Literature, or EAL (2 of which must Unit 3 and 4)
- 2 units of either VCE Foundation Math, – General/Further Math, or Math Methods
- 2 units of Personal Development
- 2 units of Work Related Skills
- A VET certificate (180 nominal hours at Cert II or above)
- 6 -8 additional VCE or VM units of your choice.
Total of 50 periods per fortnight cycle.
Periods are 70 minutes.
Learning Mentor is 20 minutes.
4 study periods.
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