Melbourne’s private schools with elite sporting links

Melbourne’s top private schools are tapping into their links with sporting elite to give their students an edge.

Melbourne’s private schools are tapping into a rich vein of alumni, parents and retired sporting heroes to get the edge on the sporting field.

St Kevin’s College, which spent the past 18 months regrouping after revelations about its culture, called on experts to mentor, train and support its coaches.

One of those was Ben Crowe, who was credited with helping to turn around the career of reigning Wimbledon champ Ash Barty and working with the Richmond Football Club, including three time premiership captain Trent Cotchin.

Crowe, who runs the highly successful Mojo Crowe, was asked to speak to coaches about a reset and shift from a win at all costs attitude.

Ben Crowe is a mindset coach who has helped Ash Barty get to No.1 and helped turn around Dimma, Cotchin, Richmond. Picture: Tony Gough

Ash Barty was coached by Ben Crowe. Picture: Michael Klein.

A parent, he also spoke to staff at the start of the year on the topic “greatest growth comes from darkest times because it unlocks humility and curiosity”.

St Kevin’s is part of the high stakes APS Sport competition which includes Melbourne, Geelong, Carey, Trinity, Caulfield and Brighton grammars, Geelong College, Haileybury, Scotch and Wesley.

Academic achievements are important. But success on the sporting field is also highly prized. It’s not only character-building and morale-boosting but great for marketing.

Haileybury has invested in its football program, with Essendon star and media commentator Matthew Lloyd a key recruit.

The school has turned out a number of AFL recruits and on Footy Classified Lloyd recently spoke of Andrew Brayshaw as a future Fremantle Dockers captain.

He had first-hand knowledge of the midfielder as Brayshaw was part of the Haileybury program.

The Parade College and Manchester City Football Club partnership is the first of its kind in Australia. Picture: Jason Edwards.

Last month, lower-fee-paying Catholic school Parade College announced a partnership with English Premier League club Manchester City FC.

The Bundoora boys’ school has had an association with Melbourne City FC but its shift to Casey opened the way for a more formalised soccer academy at the school.

Manchester City will appoint a coach. School enrolments for 2022 have already closed but those interested in soccer will be able to trial to study in the soccer stream.

From 2023, it could account for one or two year 7 classes, depending on demand.

Parade has a FIFA-accredited pitch and state of the art indoor training and conditioning facilities for students.

Parade principal Andrew Kuppe is enthusiastic about what is being touted as the first soccer school of its kind in Australia.

“The desire to bring positive change to communities across the world through football is as strong as ever,” he said.

“We know this partnership will inspire a new generation of footballers at Parade and we are especially proud of those young men who have represented our school and forged successful careers in the game.”

Josh Kennedy of the Socceroos. Picture: AAP Image

St Kevin’s has former Socceroo Josh Kennedy as its head coach and program director.

Parade lays claim to Richmond’s Cotchin, but he ultimately left the school to take up a sporting scholarship at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar.

Lloyd went to Catholic school St Bernard’s, which has turned out some handy footballers. Cameron Ling works with Geelong Grammar School.

“Under the guidance of our director of football, AFL premiership-winning captain Cameron Ling, our footballers have one of the great football minds at their disposal throughout the APS season,” the school’s website says.

Ling was a product of St Joseph’s College which boasts Jimmy Bartel, Nick Maxwell, Matthew Scarlett and Barry Stoneham, among others.

Upmarket Kew Catholic girl’s college Genazzano appointed Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh as head of aquatics and head swimming coach this year.

Welsh, who married into the famous Newton entertainment clan, started as performance mentor in 2016 and had input into the refurbishment of the school aquatic centre.

Wife Lauren attended the school and two daughters are currently enrolled.

He trained at the pool in preparation for the 2000 Olympics.

Genazzano principal Loretta Wholley said parents considered more than just ATARs when choosing a school.

Matt Welsh with wife Lauren Newton and there children Sam and Eva. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“Matt Welsh, like many of our staff, is a wonderful ambassador for the college and is the perfect fit to lead our swim program,” she said.

“This is something we share at open mornings when families are touring our campus; and the stories on our website about Matt always have high engagement from families doing their own research before enrolling.”

Ms Wholley said Welsh served a number of roles including mentoring, helping students stay motivated, training and sharing his own experiences.

“Recently Matt presented to our students in the junior school about his experience at the Olympics and he was instrumental in the planning and refurbishment of our college pool last year during lockdown.

Matt Welsh during the Men’s 100m Backstroke Semi-Final at the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships in 2007.

Being able to draw on the experiences and know-how of a professional athlete for these sorts of projects is invaluable.”

“Now more than ever, students need to develop life skills in areas like resilience, self-belief, motivation and companionship – a lot of which can be learnt through sport and promoting a healthy body, healthy mind, being part of a team and part of strong community.”

Brighton Grammar School says it is reaping rewards having signed on former tennis champ Richard Fromberg as its tennis coach.

Australia’s tennis great Richard Fromberg in 2001.

Fromberg, with a career-high world ranking of 24 in 1990, was regarded as a tenacious player. Bayside Firbank Grammar School, which competes in Girls Sport Victoria for independent schools, boasts a stable of mentors and coaches.

Some include parent Jacqui Cooper, an Olympic aerial skier, and Oarsome Foursome member James Tomkins.