Last updated: 6 Feb 2023, 12:03pm
We currently offer a Years 5-12 Melbourne Victory Performance School Program (Yirramboi Sports Oval) and a Years 1-6 Saturday Community Program (Canowindra Soccer Pitch).
We will be holding a Community Information Evening at the Yirramboi Campus on Monday 3 April at 7pm to celebrate our first year of partnership and outline our future plans. This event is designed for students and parents to attend together and will feature many special guests from Melbourne Victory and our apparel partner, Macron. It will be an event not to be missed by those in our passionate footballing community so please put this date in your calendar.
Overnewton College became Melbourne Victory’s exclusive Performance School partner in 2022.
The Victory Performance School Program is designed to encourage Overnewton students who love football and are keen to develop their football skills and tactical knowledge to join the 2023 program.
As students are of varying ages and in different stages of their football development, there will be instances where students are streamed into ability-based groupings. Selection for tournaments will be on merit, ability and behaviour.
Students who are not formally enrolled in the program may be selected for 1st grade interschool teams but will not be eligible for exclusive on and off the pitch opportunities, including travel.
Yes. All students will have the opportunity to register for this program. Students who enrolled in the 2022 program will be asked to reconfirm their interest to remain in the program. If you have not already registered please register here
Melbourne Victory Academy coaches will lead twenty 50-minute training sessions across the school year. The sessions will be held on the Yirramboi Campus Sports Oval and take place on selected Thursday mornings (before school) on the following dates:
Term 1 – March 2, 9 (Trials) and March 16, 23, 30 and Apr 6
Term 2 – May 25 and June 1, 8, 15
Term 3 – Aug 17, 24, 31 and Sept 7
Term 4 – Oct 19, 26 and Nov 2, 9, 16, 23
In addition, Melbourne Victory coaches will lead all 1st grade ACS and 5/6 Soccer teams during Overnewton’s interschool program. Where possible, friendlies, excursions, interschool and representative matches will be scheduled into ACS Bye Rounds.
The trials are an opportunity for Melbourne Victory and College coaches to look at the students and begin creating ability-based groupings. This information will help to inform future planning and define our coaching requirements for the year.
The trials double as an opportunity for students to confirm their interest in the program, meet some of the coaches and other players and view the size range of the Macron uniform.
The Head Coach of the Overnewton Program is Andreas Papanicolaou – also the Melbourne Victory U23 Academy Assistant Coach. Andreas will work closely with, Melbourne Victory’s Head of Academy, Joe Palatsides, to help tailor Melbourne Victory’s Academy Methodology to the needs of our students.
Andreas will mentor other coaches including Melbourne Victory Academy and Community Coaches, Overnewton Old Collegians and staff in his role.
Licenced coaches, including Joe Palatsides (Head of Academy), Harley Hamdani (Community Football and Education Manager) and Gareth Turnball (A-League Women’s Assistant Coach / Football Pathways Manager), are just some of the coaches who will attend selected morning sessions.
Returning students should wear their Macron football uniform to the trials. New students to the College / Program can wear football kit of choice to the trials. At the conclusion of training, students need to change into their correct uniform for the school day (academic or sport - depending on their timetable). Students should not arrive late to class.
A limited range of samples will be available for viewing at the first trials on March 2 & 9. Program staff can help guide your child to find their correct size. Alternatively, you can order directly using the size guide on the Macron site. All uniform orders will be processed online here and posted directly to your home address.
We are currently exploring options in collaboration with our apparel partner Macron. More information will be shared at our Community Information Evening at the Yirramboi Campus on Monday 3 April at 7pm.
We expect that students within this program will embrace the opportunity to proudly represent both Overnewton and Melbourne Victory as program ambassadors. As such, the approved parameters of wear will permit students to wear the Macron quarter zip jacket in place of the College Sports Jacket, or Year 12 Jumper, with sports uniform on their nominated sport day.
Year 7 – Tuesdays
Years 10 – 12 – Wednesdays
Years 8 & 9 – Thursdays
Years 5 & 6 – Fridays
Under no circumstances can the jersey, shorts or socks be worn after the conclusion of Thursday morning training (or during school hours) as this is both a breach of the permitted uniform and unhygienic. Uniform infringements will be issued for breaches. The College sports polo shirt must be worn underneath the quarter zip jacket if paired with the sports uniform.
Extended parameters of wear will be permitted for football-related excursions, tournaments and special events at the direction of the Head of Co-Curriculum. This will be stipulated on excursion forms for these events and activities.
A light breakfast comprising of one toasted sandwich and one juice box will be provided to students upon the conclusion of training.
Year 9 students will be transported to Canowindra by intercampus bus at the conclusion of training.
The Years 1-6 Community Program is an offering that takes place on Saturday mornings. Melbourne Victory FC Football Centres, the first step of our Football Pathway, provides players with a safe, enjoyable, and positive playing environment, open to all children aged 6-12 years.
Working with our Community & Pre-Academy Coaches, our Football Centres are the perfect opportunity for those players who aren’t quite ready for Pre-Academy, as well as kids just starting to kick the ball, to build on the foundations of their football skills while training under the same Pre-Academy curriculum and coaching methodology.
The Years 5-12 Performance Program takes place mid-week, comprising of before-school sessions on Thursday mornings and inter-school soccer / futsal sessions. Melbourne Victory coaches lead all 1st grade sides.
Term 1 – March 2, 9 (Trials) and March 16, 23, 30 and Apr 6
Term 2 – May 25 and June 1, 8, 15
Term 3 – Aug 17, 24, 31 and Sept 7
Term 4 – Oct 19, 26 and Nov 2, 9, 16, 23
As part of the ‘Performance School model’ there is a structured plan to reintroduce domestic and international travel opportunities within this program.
We plan to explore a range of options for both tournaments and tours, utilising a range of network contacts.
Melbourne Victory is also a member of the Global Football Alliance, a strategic alliance of 20 non-rival football clubs in 20 countries around the world. This opens up a number of options for the future.
It is a program expectation that students attend as many sessions as possible, however, we understand that illness and injuries do occur.
Notifications for training absence should be emailed to victory@overnewton.vic.edu.au
Yes, a Code of Conduct will be shared with participants before the conclusion of the two-week trial period.
Click here to view and purchase the dual-branded Overnewton / Victory ‘Performance School’ uniform. It is the exact shirt that Melbourne Victory A-League and elite teams wear, with the point of difference being the Overnewton monochrome crest on the left arm.
It is compulsory for students in the program to purchase the bundle (navy shirt, shorts, socks and mid-layer jacket) to wear for the Thursday morning component of the program.
Students enrolled in the Saturday Community Program have the option to purchase the Macron uniform.
Additionally. students selected by Melbourne Victory coaches for Overnewton 1st sides (ACS 7-12 teams) will be loaned a white dual-branded Victory playing shirt to wear for inter-school competition.
The majority of this program is heavily subsidised by the College, however, there is a $200 program levy which will be put towards coaching costs, breakfasts and equipment resourcing. You will receive an invoice for this levy from Overnewton during Term 1. The reference will be ‘Melbourne Victory Performance Program.’
No. Melbourne Victory and Overnewton College Staff Coaches will make selection decisions for 1st sides based on effort, technical ability and player conduct of all players who trial.
Coaches will continue to monitor to progress and development of players. Students who are initially selected in 2nd sides, can be elevated to 1st sides during the year.
Yes. We offer a range of experiences to male and female players. The type of offerings and timings of offer may be dependent on Melbourne Victory and the seasonality of the ACS competitions.
Off-the-pitch offers may include tours of AAMI Park, offers to fulfil ambassador roles at A-League matches, invitations to appear in promotional videos and invitations to apply for tours and tournaments.
It is anticipated that most of the A-League Match Day experiences will take place later this year.
Offers will be explored in preparation for the 2023/2024 Season.
Please direct all program enquiries to victory@overnewton.vic.edu.au
Published 9 Dec 2021
Overnewton Anglican Community College is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Melbourne Victory Football Club, becoming the first and exclusive pilot school for Melbourne Victory’s Performance School Program.
This exciting football partnership with Melbourne Victory will provide Overnewton students and the Overnewton footballing community with exclusive membership offers, unique A-League experiences, and link talented Overnewton players directly to coaching staff within Melbourne Victory’s Academy.
Through this partnership, Overnewton students from Prep to Year 12 will have access to the Melbourne Victory Performance School Program. Talented players identified within the College program will also receive trial invitations for Melbourne Victory’s Academy and Elite Girls program.
Melbourne Victory coaches will integrate into the Overnewton interschool football program and lead all 1st grade College teams from Years 5-12. Melbourne Victory’s Under 18’s Academy Coach, Andreas Papanicolaou, will coach Overnewton Seniors and oversee the College-wide football program.
Overnewton’s brand new sports oval located at our Yirramboi Campus in Keilor will host Melbourne Victory’s Pre-Academy Program in the region. Offerings will include a Community Football Centre for junior players of all skill levels, and a Pre-Academy Training Centre for selected players who demonstrate the commitment, attitude and development of a future Melbourne Victory player.
Overnewton will also pilot Melbourne Victory health and education programs, and provide coach education and upskilling seminars for College staff.
Overnewton has a long history of developing talented football players and supporting their journey to an elite football pathway. Most recently, Old Collegian and Class of 2020 graduate, Ryan Lethlean, made his footballing debut with Melbourne Victory FC on 24 November 2021, where he converted a penalty and helped his team to victory.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, states, ‘Building an accessible football footprint throughout Melbourne is important to Melbourne Victory. To be able to partner with a school of Overnewton's quality to deliver football is exciting for our club and we trust will have a hugely positive impact on the students and the entire school community.’
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, has said, ‘We are so excited to welcome Overnewton College to the Melbourne Victory family and, in particular, as our first ever Football Performance School.’
Overnewton Head of Co-Curriculum, Nikki Little, has said of the new partnership, ‘I am thrilled and delighted that Overnewton is the first Melbourne Victory Performance school which can offer students as young as five years old the opportunity to learn skills from Melbourne Victory coaches. This exclusive program is another example of how Overnewton is committed to delivering outstanding beyond-the-classroom opportunities for our students.’