Flinders Christian Community College is extremely fortunate to be able to offer our students the opportunity to represent the College in Domestic Basketball. Flinders Basketball incorporates over 500 students from the ages of five to alumni across both campuses participating in the following associations: Chelsea, Frankston, Mornington, Westernport & Southern Peninsula. The Flinders Basketball Academy provides an alternative platform for our basketball students to pursue their passion during the school day, by offering basketball as a subject. This program allows young male and female students the opportunity to develop their sporting talent while complementing their secondary education. The Flinders Basketball Academy students are educated by qualified coaches and support staff both on and off the court.

We aspire to develop engaged, creative, independent lifelong learners who will be contributing and responsible members of the global community. A core aim of the Flinders Basketball Program is to present basketball loving students with the opportunity to explore this sport beyond the fundamentals of physical training. All students have different learning needs from each other. For some, the need may be for deeper questioning or mastery of a concept. For others, it may be repeated and varied explanation or the opportunity to work alongside like-minded peers. Grouping by ability or achievement is a form of instructional management that can be used in conjunction with accelerated progression.

Flinders Basketball Academy launched in 2020 and we offered this to our Year 7 students.  We are delighted that this grew in 2021 and now an option for Years 7 and 8 students. 

Vision of the Flinders Basketball Academy

With Christ at the centre of our vision, we will aim to develop a loving community using basketball as a vehicle to encourage growth and excellence in character and skills all to the glory of God.

  • Provides the highest quality Basketball coaching and curriculum both on and off the court for the students undertaking our program.
  • Develops strong partnerships with Professional Women’s and Men’s Basketball Clubs in Melbourne as well as local representative clubs
  • Supports and assist students to achieve an appropriate balance between their academic and sporting aspirations.

Flinders Basketball Playing Opportunities

  • After School Domestic Basketball
  • Southern Independent Schools (SIS) weekly sport program
  • Victorian College Basketball Championships – Combined Campus Representative teams
  • Australian Schools Basketball Championships – qualification based
  • International Basketball Tours – Such as USA on a three-year rotational basis
  • Special invitation, before school, small group, intensive training session

Fortnightly Timetable

Flinders Basketball Academy launched in 2020 and we offered this to our Year 7 students.  We are delighted that this grew in 2021 and now an option for Years 7 and 8 students.  The Academy is integrated into the schooling week amongst traditional academic classes, whilst enabling students to achieve their full academic and sporting potential at the College. Students will be assessed via competency-based modules throughout the semester, with parent access via the Flinders Basketball Academy Moodle Page.

Coaching Staff

Kerryn Mitchell

  • Basketball Australia Performance Coach - Level three
  • NBA Academy Next Generation Camp Assistant Coach
  • Gold medal winning Victorian Women’s U20 State team Assistant Coach
  • 2019 NBL1 Frankston Blues Women’s Team Assistant Coach
  • Frankston Blues Girls’ Coordinator
  • Former State and National Junior representative
  • 10 year WNBL player
  • 3 years playing in Europe as an import

Marcus Wickham

Marcus has been a long-standing staff member at Flinders College, being the founder of our Flinders Basketball Program. Marcus has coached the Flinders Tyabb students on a weekly basis in the domestic competitions as well as our combined campus teams as they represent the College at State and National Championships. Marcus has a wealth of basketball knowledge who is well respected by the students from both campuses and, whilst expecting excellence on the court, he is also very passionate about instilling the vision of our basketball program amongst all our players along with the motto of ‘Grow in Love’.

Key Achievement Standards for Flinders Basketball Academy 

Students will learn to...

  • Reflect on the influence of emotions on behaviour, learning and relationships.
  • Use feedback to identify achievements and prioritise areas for improvement.
  • Initiate and undertake some tasks independently, within negotiated time frames and use  criteria to review work.
  • Reflect on strategies to cope with difficult situations and justify the choice of strategy demonstrating knowledge of resilience and adaptability.
  • Explore values and beliefs of different groups in society.
  • Identify indicators of respectful relationships in a range of social and work-related situations.
  • Explain the extent to which individual roles and responsibilities enhance group cohesion and the achievement of personal and group objectives.
  • Assess the appropriateness of various strategies to avoid or resolve conflict in a range of situations.
  • Apply movement concepts and strategies to achieve basketball movement and fitness specific outcomes.
  • Demonstrate control and accuracy when performing specialised basketball skills.
  • Promote fair play and inclusiveness in all elements of basketball both within and out of the academy.

Expectations

Applicants of the Flinders Basketball Academy will be considered according to the availability of positions in the academy, academic performance in core subject areas, attitude and behaviour. Successful applicants will be at the discretion of Sport Coordinators, Head of Teaching and Learning and/or the Head of Sub School. It is expected that by the conclusion of the school year students will achieve a satisfactory overall understanding, level of academic achievement and aptitude within the Basketball Academy. The College reserves the right to review the academic progress of students who are not achieving satisfactory results. Should a student’s record indicate that they qualify in this category, the College will assess the suitability of them progressing in the program and make recommendations based on the context and capability of each individual student.

Application Process

Students interested in being considered for the Flinders Basketball Academy will be invited to apply the year prior to them joining Flinders Basketball Academy.  Flinders will email all families directly when the application process is open.  Should the number of applicants exceed the positions available then try-outs will need to take place.

Cost

There is a levy per student per year to be a member of the Flinders Basketball Academy this includes:

  • Flinders Basketball Academy apparel
  • Specialist coaches
  • Health Professional workshops in the areas of Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, Sports Psychology
  • Attendance to NBL / WNBL Open Training sessions / matches

More Information

Should you require additional information about this program please contact us directly. For students currently at Flinders, the Secondary Sports Coordinator will be best suited to advise you. For students from external schools you are encouraged to contact Natalie Chatfield via email.