Participation in sports develops students' physical and emotional well-being. In addition to the obvious benefits of increased physical fitness, physical activity has been linked to improved cognitive function and development. Life skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, courage, humility, and resilience can all be learned and developed through sport. Social connections and involvement in community sport help to create well-rounded individuals.

At Woodleigh, we offer a diverse sports program, providing students with a range of opportunities to find their passion and thrive.

Key Sport Dates: Term 1

30 January FDBA Basketball Summer Season resumes

7 February FDBA Basketball - Training resumes for boys’ teams

8 February FDBA Basketball - Training resumes for girls’ teams

8 February School Teams Sailing - Training commences

9 February FDNA Netball – Training commences for all interested students

14 February Swim training commences – Core 24 Somerville

15 February School Teams Sailing - Competition commences

16 February SIS Senior Weekly Sport – Competition commences

17 February FDNA Netball – Competition commences

17 February SIS Intermediate Weekly Sport – Competition commences

18 February VEIS Dressage – Boneo Park

21 February Homestead Swimming Carnival – Pines Aquatic Centre

24 February VEIS Dressage – Boneo Park

24 February GirlSail – Daveys Bay

17 March SIS Swim Relay Carnival – Pines Aquatic Centre

27 March Homestead Athletics Carnival – Casey Fields

FDBA Basketball Summer Season

Summer Season (T4 – T1) matches have resumed after the school holiday break. This season continues right through to the end of Term 1 with Grand Finals taking place between the 1st - 6th April. The Winter Season will commence in Term 2 and run through until the end of Term 3. Participating students are strongly encouraged to come along to training. Year 7 students and students keen to join a team for Winter Season are encouraged to attend Term 1 training sessions. We are really pleased to have Tom Angelico, Lee Burch, Aidan Bolch and Jacomo Dwyer-Morris coaching our teams.

Training Boys’ teams – Tuesdays 4:00pm – 5:15pm

Training Girls’ teams – Wednesdays 3:00pm – 4:15pm

Key contact – Tom Angelico (Basketball Coordinator)

FDNA Netball

There are exciting times ahead with our Friday after-school Netball program. The brand new, world class 6-court indoor stadium at Jubilee Park, Frankston is scheduled to open in the coming weeks.

Training is underway for students on Thursdays after school in the Woodleigh Gym from 4:00-5:15pm. All students, across all year levels, interested in joining this program will be placed into a team. Jane Baker, Rianna Smallacombe, and Ben Davenport will be our FDNA Netball coaches in 2023.

Key contact – Ben Davenport (Netball Coordinator)

Swimming

Before School Swim Training

In Term 1, Swim training will take place from 7:15-8:15am at Core 24 Somerville, Grant Rd, Somerville. Students will be transported back to school by bus at the completion of training. These sessions are open to those students who would like to be a part of our Swim Squad and also competent swimmers looking to improve their fitness. The cost of this program is $30 per term as part of our Sport Club program – if you are already playing after school Basketball or Netball there will be no additional charge for attending these sessions.

Homestead Swimming Carnival

The Homestead Swimming Carnival will take place at Pines Aquatic Centre on 21 February. This event is an important part of the Homestead program, with all Junior Homestead students expected to attend the carnival as a normal school day. There is a mix of fun novelty events and more traditional events. The day is about both participation and competitiveness for those students aiming to be a part of the SIS team. Students are encouraged to wear Homestead colours.

SIS Swimming Carnivals

The SIS Swim Relay Carnival will be held after school at Pines Aquatic Centre on Friday 17 March. This event is a lead in event for the SIS Swimming Carnival which will be held as a daytime carnival at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Tuesday 2 May. There is also an SIS Swim Squad Activity running throughout Unit 1 Activities, where all of our swimmers are strongly encouraged to do this activity to prepare well for these events.

Key contacts – Cam Macindoe & Craig Radley (Swimming Coordinators)

SIS Weekly Sport

The Southern Independent Schools (SIS) weekly sport competition runs during school time on Thursday and Friday afternoons all year. Please see below for a term-by-term breakdown of SIS Weekly Sports offerings in 2023:

Sailing

Will McKenzie is continuing as our team Sailing coach. Will is committed to developing our Sailing team through training sessions at Mornington Yacht Club on Wednesdays after school and coaching them at the various competitions we will enter throughout Term 1.

Key contact – Tom Angelico (Sailing Coordinator)

Homestead Athletics Carnival

The Homestead Athletics Carnival will be held at Casey Fields on Wednesday 27 March. Performances on this day will be taken into consideration when selecting the SIS Athletics Squad later in the year. There will also be a range of fun, novelty events including tug-of-war and the sack race.

Lunchtime Fitness Training

On Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes, the Gym Mezzanine will be open for students to come along and do fitness training under the supervision of qualified staff. There is an excellent range of equipment, and the staff will work with students to develop personalized programs.

Key contacts – Bill Higgins & Sarah Foley

Other events

Woodleigh will also be competing in several more sporting events throughout the term. Details of these will be advertised at school as they come to hand.

Please refer to the Woodleigh Sport Staff List for 2023 to find out more.

State Team Selection

For those students interested in trying out for a School Sport Victoria State Team the sports and registration dates can be viewed here.

Sporting achievements

We would love to hear about the sporting achievements of our students, past and present, out in the community. Please share your achievements with us so that we can celebrate your successes and work to support you in your sporting endeavors.

BEN DAVENPORT
Director of Sport