As Australian women in sport reaches an all-time high, Seymour College is providing pathways for students to advance their athletic abilities with its high performance sports program, coordinated by elite AFLW player Angela Foley.
Seymour College is helping develop the sportswomen of the future by taking a balanced approach to elite sport.
Their High Performance Sports program, now in its third year, aims to advance high-performance athletic capabilities in a range of sports such as rowing, gymnastics, swimming, netball and AFL. Once accepted, students receive weekly theory classes in psychology, nutrition and biomechanics, as well as strength and conditioning training, providing them with the building blocks necessary to become high-level athletes.
As a two-time AFLW premiership player, program coordinator, Angela Foley, knows better than most the importance of balance, on and off the field, and this is a pivotal part of the program’s teachings.
“It provides girls with tools they can use to better understand and manage themselves,” says Angela. “It’s also about giving the girls confidence to go out into the big wide world knowing they are capable of reaching for the stars. I also speak about resilience and the ability to deal with challenges – not everything in life will go your way.”
Year 11 student Abby says she has learnt that being a good athlete is about more than just your physical capabilities. “To be successful, you need to be well-rounded, mentally strong, have good nutrition, be a good teammate and have time management skills,” she says. “Having this knowledge has significantly helped me achieve in my sport.”
While the High Performance Sports program provides girls the opportunity to enhance their athletic abilities, Seymour College says they are conscious of not specialising in one area. Instead, the school understands that the key to a well-rounded education is nurturing individual capability and confidence in each field – whether it’s in sport, academics or performing arts – and celebrating the overall success of students. This has seen Seymour achieve high-level ATAR results annually, aligning with the College’s idea that success is a derivative of ‘strength, justice and optimism’.
“It’s our job to give students opportunities and pathways to reach high places,” Angela says. “At Seymour, we’re preparing the girls for the future and this program is helping them in leadership and resilience.”
Seymour College
546 Portrush Road, Glen Osmond
08 8303 9000
seymour.sa.edu.au
@seymourcollege