<![CDATA[WestVic Academy of Sport - News]]>Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:53:18 +1100Weebly<![CDATA[WVAS & RADCentre Partnership 2021]]>Wed, 27 Jan 2021 22:37:35 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/wvas-radcentre-partnership-2021The FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport (WVAS) is delighted to announce that we will again be working in conjunction with the RADCentre to deliver high performance services to WVAS athlete members.

Over the past five years, the RADCentre and WVAS have worked in tandem to offer young and aspiring athletes the ability to access strength and conditioning services as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation.
RADCentre Director and Physical Performance Manager Chris Radford is excited to yet again be working with WVAS athletes in 2021.

“It is fantastic to be partnering with WVAS for 2021, continuing our strong relationship. We love helping regional athletes be their best, providing the strength and conditioning to help them improve their performance or return from an injury."

WestVic Academy of Sport Executive Officer Nick Wealands is also thrilled to have the RADCentre on-board for 2021 and believes that the partnership is a natural fit.

“The RADCentre offer a high-quality service to our athletes members and play an integral role in helping talented individuals progress further to the state and national level of their respective sports. Chris and his team at the RADCentre are very well-respected for their work all around Western Victoria and it’s a privilege to be aligned to such an organisation.”
​
A big thanks to Chris and the RADCentre for their commitment to developing junior athletes in Western Victoria and supporting the WVAS.]]><![CDATA[WVAS Executive Officer Resignation Announcement]]>Tue, 10 Nov 2020 21:43:07 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/wvas-executive-officer-resignation-announcementFrom the Chairman of the Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport, Mr Alan Campbell:

It is with both sadness and gratitude that I announce Corey Saitta’s departure as Executive Officer (EO) of the Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport (WVAS), effective Friday 27 November, 2020.

Since November 2017, Corey has played a pivotal role in the transformation, growth, and success of the organisation in its support of athletic endeavour, and while we will miss his leadership, we wish him well in his new senior management role with leading Ballarat based organisation, the Gull Group.

We would like to thank Corey for his three years as EO.

Corey’s three years of dedicated service involved many significant accomplishments, including:

-Strengthening relationships that underpin our strong strategic, commercial and community partnerships with the Victorian State Government, Victorian Institute of Sport, Federation University, City of Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Horsham College, Holy Trinity Lutheran College Horsham and the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club.

- Development and implementation of the WVAS Strategic Plan 2018-2021.

- Leading the Academy through an unparalleled growth phase in areas including: Annual turnover, athlete membership, expenditure on athlete services and supports, sponsorship, events, marketing, social media, community awareness and brand recognition.

- Extending program service delivery and educational support to more than 600 student athletes.

- Increased athlete member, coach and parent satisfaction levels.

Over the coming weeks, we will be conducting a recruitment search to appoint an EO for the Fed Uni Westvic Academy of Sport. During this transition period, it is our priority to find the best individual to lead, while still maintaining a stable and effective sport program and organisation.

Again, we cannot thank Corey enough for the professionalism, vision, commitment, and enthusiasm he has provided the Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport over the past 3 years. He will be greatly missed by the Board, staff and coaches, athletes, families, sponsors and our premier partners.

We are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of the Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport, as we continue to engage with our community partners and strive to support our staff and coaches to ensure that our athlete members can continue to develop, improve and secure State and National selection in the future.

If you have any questions in relation to our sport program during this transition process, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration and Operations Officer, Nick Wealands at n.wealands@federation.edu.au

Sincerely,

Alan Campbell
Chairman
Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport]]><![CDATA[WVAS EXECUTIVE OFFICER COVID-19 UPDATE 03/08/2020]]>Tue, 04 Aug 2020 03:47:39 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/wvas-executive-officer-covid-19-update-03082020
Picture


Monday 3 August, 2020

Dear Athletes, Parents, Coaches & Premier Partners, I hope you and your families are safe as we continue to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As you’ll be aware, yesterday the State Government declared a state of disaster in Victoria in relation to the growing outbreaks of COVID-19 cases.

From Thursday, regional Victoria will return to stage three restrictions, meaning there will only be four reasons to leave home: to purchase food and essential goods or services; to provide care or seek medical treatment; for exercise or outdoor recreation with your household or one other person and for work or study, but only if you cannot do it from home.

You may no longer have visitors in your home.

In regional Victoria, remote learning (home schooling) returns from Wednesday, aside from specialist schools and children of essential workers.

Face masks are mandatory across Victoria for everyone except children under 12 and other few exceptions.

Note: If you or a family member feels unwell, you should stay at home. If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, you should get tested.

Impact on WestVic’s operations In response to the State Government’s directive, all face-to-face, group skills and strength & conditioning training sessions will be postponed, effective immediately (as of 3 August, 2020)

Term 3 & Term 4 The postponement of training sessions will be deferred until the State Government is in a position to relax the restrictions that currently apply in Victoria.

WestVic’s intention is to deliver training sessions in a revised and compressed manner later in Term 3, or indeed in Term 4 until Christmas, if necessary.

Athlete Education Program

Our Athlete Education program will continue in Term 3 via Zoom conferencing. WVAS is delighted to deliver the following sessions, all of which will commence from 8:00pm:

Tuesday 11 August: Introduction to Sport Psychology
Stephen Rendall, Sport Psychologist

Monday 17 August: Performance Improvement Program
Leading Teams Jake Bridges, Facilitator

Monday 24 August: Diet & Nutrition for Sport Performance
Michelle Ryan, Nutritionist

Monday 7 September Mindfulness
Bronwyn Sudholz, Psychologist Ballarat OSM

I look forward to joining athletes, parents and coaches for each session via Zoom.

Summary

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the magnificent support WestVic has received from its athletes, parents and families, coaches, partners and sponsors throughout this year.

The forced break is essential for us right now.
​
We look forward to the day that we can resume our training program, restrictions permitting.

In the meantime, take care and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Corey Saitta
Executive Officer

]]><![CDATA[WVAS Executive Officer Update 21/05/2020]]>Tue, 26 May 2020 05:36:10 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/wvas-executive-officer-update-21052020
Picture
Dear Athletes, Parents, Coaches, Partners & Sponsors,

In the past fortnight governments around Australia have slowly started to ease some of the restrictions introduced to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that some restrictions be eased in Victoria.

While the restrictions vary across Australia, physical distancing remains in place across the nation, as well as the direction to stay home (where possible).
For instance:  Changes to restrictions in Victoria include allowing gatherings of up to five people in your home, small gatherings outdoors of up to 10 people, short road trips allowed but no overnight stays, and testing for people with even the mildest symptoms.

How these changes impact Federation University WestVic Academy of Sport (WVAS)

The WVAS Board met recently to discuss future planning for the operations of our sport programs.
For the moment, there are no further changes to Academy operations.
However, we will continue to monitor developments closely in the coming weeks, with further government announcements expected in the weeks commencing 25 May and 1 June.

Return to training

Meanwhile, we are currently working on a plan for transitioning back to delivering on-site, inperson training sessions. This plan will be shared with you as soon as it is finalised.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have followed the advice of government in making operational decisions and we will continue to do so. The safety and wellbeing of our staff, coaches, athletes and parents remains our highest priority.
This planning will look at group limits, venue and facility management, activities and equipment protocols, all the while maintaining appropriate physical distancing, health and hygiene measures, so that we can plan a safe and staged return to specialist skills and/or strength & conditioning training sessions.

Summary

It is important to remember that the easing of restrictions does not mean the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Physical distancing requirements, hand hygiene, staying home when unwell and getting tested if you have any symptoms at all, are even more important during any transition back to ‘normal’ to ensure we prevent new cases from emerging.

I look forward to your company at next week’s Athlete Education session on Wednesday 27 May at 8:00pm via Zoom conferencing. We are fortunate and delighted to host Bill Tait – Performance Manager (Podium) at the Victorian Institute of Sport, for what promises to be both an interesting and insightful presentation to athletes, parents and coaches.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding and support in the most unusual and challenging of times.

Sincerely,
Corey Saitta
Executive Officer
]]><![CDATA[A Message From The Chairman & Executive Officer: COVID-19 Update]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2020 04:12:45 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/a-message-from-the-chairman-executive-officer-covid-19-update
Picture
A Message From WVAS Chairman Alan Campbell & Executive Officer Corey Saitta 

​Dear Athletes, Parents, Coaches, Partners & Sponsors,
 
We write to you following the Federal & State Government’s announcement regarding tighter restrictions being imposed across the country because of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.
 
These restrictions are to keep all of us safe, to protect those most at risk and to limit the impact the growing number of cases will have on our health system. The sooner we all respect these restrictions, the sooner we can get back to doing what we love most.
 
While this period will be tough, we implore you to play your role to keep one another safe.
 
Due to the directive to close non-essential workplaces, the WestVic office will not open for the foreseeable future with the health and safety of staff remaining paramount.
 
However, our staff will continue to work from home in self isolation and can be contacted in the usual manner via phone and email.  We continue to remain open and available to support our members, families and premier partners. We aim to provide a service to our athletes as much as possible and will be, where appropriate, providing online content for them.
 
We will continue to monitor the Government and the health authorities advice on navigating what the remainder of the year will look like.  Accordingly, we will continue to update members after the Easter break.
 
We might not physically be able to come together for the foreseeable future, but the WestVic Academy of Sport membership is still a strong community and we can all play our part in keeping one another safe in the face of adversity.
 
Our thoughts are with you, your families, loved ones and friends and our hope is that you stay well and safe.
 
Sincerely,
 
Alan Campbell & Corey Saitta
Chairman & Executive Officer
​
Picture
]]><![CDATA[Graeme Frislie Crowned Men’s U19 Champion of Champion’s at Australian Track Cycling National Championships]]>Sun, 07 Apr 2019 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/graeme-frislie-crowned-mens-u19-champion-of-champions-at-australian-track-cycling-national-championships
Graeme Frislie after winning one of his four Gold Medals at the Cycling Australia Track National Championships, Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, 3-6 April, 2019.   Photo credit Con Chronis.
FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport athlete and Bacchus Marsh Grammar student, Graeme Frislie, was crowned Men’s U19 Champion of Champion’s at the Australian Track Cycling National Championship at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on the weekend.

Frislie, a current Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) scholarship holder, was simply outstanding across several races, winning two Individual Gold medals in the 1km Time Trial and Scratch Race and a further two Team Gold medals by claiming the Team Pursuit and the Madison.  Frislie had already won the Gold medal in the Omnium National Championship in October last year.
Frislie, a current Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) scholarship holder, was simply outstanding across several races, winning two Individual Gold medals in the 1km Time Trial and Scratch Race and a further two Team Gold medals by claiming the Team Pursuit and the Madison.  Frislie had already won the Gold medal in the Omnium National Championship in October last year.

Frislie,18, and studying Year 12 at Bacchus Marsh Grammar, won the Men U19 Time Trial 1000m Final by producing a blistering 4 laps, winning in a time of 1:03.582.  In the Men U19 Scratch Race 10km Final, Frislie again reigned supreme, completing the race in a time of 11:54.76 defeating opponents from New South Wales and ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia, on his way to claiming another Gold medal.
In the Team Pursuit Final, Frislie and his fellow Victorian riders’ claimed the Gold medal by defeating Queensland in a time of 4:07.679.
 
Whilst in the Men U19 Madison 30km Final, Frislie combined with fellow Victorian, Bill Simpson, to defeat Western Australia and New South Wales teams over 120 laps, claiming the Gold medal in a time of 35:07.34

FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport Executive Officer, Corey Saitta, said, “We are thrilled for Graeme and his family.  Graeme is a committed, disciplined and skilful athlete.  Despite his recent outstanding results he remains humble and unassuming and determined to continue to improve ahead of the 2019 UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships in August in Frankfurt, Germany”.
Graeme Frislie crossing the line first at the Cycling Australia Track National Championships, Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, 3-6 April, 2019.   Photo credit Con Chronis.
]]><![CDATA[Federation University Extends Naming Rights Sponsorship of the WestVic Academy of Sport]]>Tue, 05 Mar 2019 00:33:34 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/federation-university-extends-naming-rights-sponsorship-of-the-westvic-academy-of-sport
Federation University has retained the naming rights to the WestVic Academy of Sport, Western Victoria’s premier pathway for talented athletes.

Federation University, which has housed the WestVic office at its Mt. Helen campus since inception in 2003, has signed a new three-year deal with WestVic to continue sponsoring the Academy, until 2021.
Commenting on the extension of the naming rights deal, WestVic Academy of Sport Executive Office r, Corey Saitta, advised “Federation University has been associated with the Academy since its inception and has been a significant supporter and generous contributor to the organisation for many years. We look forward to continuing to work alongside them over the next three years in various capacities across all facets of the program.”

Federation University Dean, School Health and Life Sciences, Professor Dara Twomey said, “The University is delighted to confirm the continued partnership with the WestVic Academy of Sport. Practicum placements are a fundamental and highly regarded part of the Fed Uni programs and in many instances shape the futures of our graduates. This partnership serves to enrich the student experience through practical placements with elite and emerging top class athletes across a range of sports.

Twomey, added, “The partnership also provides opportunities for staff to undertake high quality research, share their expertise with the athletes and contribute to the future of sporting success in the Western region.”
]]><![CDATA[New appointment for Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport]]>Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:00:00 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/new-appointment-for-fed-uni-westvic-academy-of-sport
Dr. Scott Talpey (Left) supervising a strength and conditioning session with a student athlete from Federation University
Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport has appointed Dr. Scott Talpey as Coordinator – Strength & Conditioning for 2019.

With more than 15 years’ strength and conditioning coaching experience at both the High School and Collegiate level in the United States, and with the Ballarat Miners and Rush Basketball programs in Ballarat, Talpey’s experience will assist coaches and athletes in the areas of Strength and Conditioning and Physical Preparation.

Talpey is currently a Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning within the Exercise and Sport Science Department at Federation University, Mt. Helen campus.

Talpey is a Level 2 Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association in the United States.
Talpey will mentor Federation University student’s as they undertake professional practice placements with WestVic this year, supporting in areas including: Coaching, program design, management and delivery, communication and reporting.

Talpey believes his knowledge, qualifications and experience will add value to the student coaches and athletes within the program, “I am passionate about helping develop athletes to reach their potential through appropriate physical preparation. I look forward to the opportunity of mentoring Federation University students to improve their coaching skills whilst they are on their path to a career in the field of strength and conditioning”, Talpey said.

Fed Uni WestVic Academy of Sport, Executive Officer, Corey Saitta said, “I congratulate Dr. Talpey on his appointment and look forward to working with him and the student coaches to continue to support our athletes”.
]]><![CDATA[Frislie and Nuspan on 9News]]>Thu, 29 Nov 2018 22:27:56 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/frislie-and-nuspan-on-9news
Two junior gold medallists, Graeme Frislie and Elizabeth Nuspan, at the Oceania Track Cycling champs will be trying their hands in a different format this summer as they compete in Ballarat's Road Nats.
]]><![CDATA[Alan Campbell Elected Chair of WestVic Academy of Sport]]>Thu, 22 Nov 2018 02:05:11 GMThttps://www.westvicsport.org.au/news/alan-campbell-elected-chair-of-westvic-academy-of-sport
FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport today announced that Alan Campbell has been appointed Chair of its Board of Directors.  Campbell was elected unopposed at the Academy’s Annual General Meeting earlier this week. 
 
Campbell, a now retired former school Principal in the Ballarat district, has lived in Ballarat for the past two decades along with his wife Ann, three children and eight grandchildren.

Campbell’s own sporting involvement included playing, coaching and umpiring both football and cricket throughout country Victoria, serving as Senior Team Manager for the North Ballarat Roosters for eight years, when the club was a member of the Victorian Football League.  In 2000, Campbell was the Team Manager for the Victorian Football League State representative team.
Campbell’s links to the Ballarat community are strong and as he is currently a member of the Ballarat Golf Club, Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club, Ballarat Rotary Club, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Cricket Club.
 
Following his election, Campbell said, “I have a strong and personal interest in supporting junior athletes in regional Victoria being given the opportunity to be the best they can be.  Through WVAS our talented junior athletes are provided with support services not easily accessible to regional athletes and I am delighted to be part of such a worthwhile and needed program”.  
 
Outgoing Chair, Chris Gleeson, who will continue to remain on the Board, said, “It has been both an honour and a privilege to serve in the role of Chair of the WVAS for the past four years.  I would like to express my thanks to the ongoing commitment of stakeholders, acknowledge the continued improved organisational performance and reinforce how important it is for Western Victoria to have a pathway that provides opportunity for regional athletes to compete at State and National level”.
 
In addition to Campbell’s appointment, Rebecca McIntyre has joined the Board as a general member.  McIntyre, who is based in Horsham, is currently employed as a Project Coordinator at the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly.  Having been born and raised in Horsham, McIntyre is a strong advocate for sport in the Wimmera and is passionate about “women in sport, promoting and developing participation, and in building the confidence and leadership skills of women and young girls in the Wimmera”. 
 
In addition to the election of Campbell and McIntyre, Tavis Baker was re-elected unopposed as Vice Chair, whilst the remaining Board positions were filled by Gleeson, Gavin McGrath, Rhonda Cator, Mandy Plumb, David Broadbent and Craig Wilding.
]]>