Korowa The vision for Sport at Korowa

Meet Chris Jones

By Jane Grlj Director of Marketing and Communications

With the completion of our new River Campus located on the Yarra River and the new Sports and Wellbeing Centre due to be completed in early 2022, it is an exciting time to be at Korowa.

We asked some of our Sports staff what their vision is for Sport at Korowa and what these new facilities will mean for their programs.

Chris joined Korowa at the beginning of 2021 as the Director of Sport – the perfect time to join with the new Sports and Wellbeing Centre under construction and due to open in 2022.

What is your vision for Sport at Korowa, particularly with the new Sports and Wellbeing Centre? I plan on offering a diverse range of sporting opportunities for students and staff to engage in, with a particular focus on activities that will enhance both their physical and mental wellbeing. The new Sports and Wellbeing Centre is at the heart of my vision for sport.

With an eight lane swimming pool, multi-use indoor sports courts, fully equipped gym, studio spaces for dance, pilates and yoga, PMP Studio, consulting rooms for our health services, counsellor, psychologist, careers counsellor and learning support staff, a multipurpose room and a rooftop netball court, all available on site, we will be able to expand our sports offering to our students.

It will be an incredible facility where students and staff will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of programs and activities designed to enhance physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing.

What inspires you in your current role? I am passionate about students learning how to be individuals and write their own story. I am inspired by the fact that there has been increased recognition that sport and school-based sport, play a key role in the physical, mental and academic performance of students.

What do you love about teaching at Korowa? The staff have a genuine care for the students and each other. It is a real community where you feel you belong. The students never cease to amaze me with their willingness to participate in the wide variety of sports on offer and their enthusiasm to have a go.

Meet Shelley O’Donnell OAM

Shelley joined Korowa this year as the Director of Netball. As a former Australian netball international champion, Shelley was on the national team for 10 years and was the recipient of three World Championship gold medals and the inaugural netball gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, where she was also the Vice Captain. She was also selected for the Netball Victorian Team of the Century and Australian Netball Hall of Fame. In 1992, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

What is your vision for the Korowa Netball Program? My objective is to offer all students of any ability, the opportunity to participate in netball in a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment and to provide a training structure that encourages them to strive for their personal goals. I am also keen to develop a pathway for those wanting to pursue further goals in netball in the future.

With my connections in the netball community, knowledge of athlete, coaching and umpiring pathways, access to coaches, elite players and relationship with Netball Victoria, I aim to give the students at Korowa the tools they need to achieve success in both sport and life.

How will the new Sports and Wellbeing Centre enhance your program? I am looking forward to taking the Korowa Netball Program to new levels and am excited about the new facilities the Sports and Wellbeing Centre will provide to enhance the existing netball program. These onsite facilities will allow us to expand the program and offer additional opportunities including strength and conditioning programs, coaching development workshops, specialist coaching sessions (individual/small group), Junior ‘Learn to Play’ and school holiday netball programs. In the longer term it would be fantastic to offer an overseas netball tour to provide the girls with the opportunity to experience different netball cultures and gain an insight into life as a professional netballer.

Why did you decide to become a coach? I am passionate about netball and have a wealth of knowledge based upon my experience as both a player at the highest level and as a coach. My coaching experiences have been focused around Junior development, which is the area of my expertise. While I enjoy coaching elite athletes, I find it most rewarding working with girls and boys of any skill level to develop their skills, reach their potential and develop a love of netball.

Meet Jane Robinson

Jane joined Korowa as the Director of Rowing two years ago and is responsible for the Rowing Program for students in Years 7 to Year 12. As a former Australian rower – a national champion, three-time World Champion and triple Olympian, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the program, providing students with the opportunity to participate and develop a passion for the sport.

What is your vision for Rowing, particularly with the new facilities? With both the new Sports and Wellbeing Centre and the River Campus, it is an exciting time to be involved with sport at Korowa. The new River Campus is ideally located on the Yarra River, only 10 minutes from Korowa and provides ample space for us to establish a world class facility. This centre will provide a real presence on the river, providing generous storage space for all our boats and equipment as well as a large multifunctional room.

These facilities will make participating in sport and wellbeing activities an even bigger part of every Korowa student’s life.

What inspires you in your current role? Getting the students to move out of their comfort zone and supporting them to find the strengths and skills they did not know they possessed! I am inspired seeing students master new skills and grow in confidence. I encourage all the rowers to strive for personal bests and to not always compare their results to others. I also love seeing the students have fun as part of the rowing journey.

How have you developed as a coach? My coaching skill developed through my own rowing career which spanned three Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004) and seven World Championship regattas representing Australia. It was during this time that I learnt a lot about myself and rowing. After retiring from elite rowing, I commenced coaching, working with athletes of all ages and abilities along with starting a family.

As a rowing mum myself, I have an insight into the important role parents of rowers play. Parents take on a huge commitment when a child decides to row but the rewards are well worth the effort.

What do you love about working at Korowa? The fabulous community of great people who work at Korowa and the students who are dedicated and willing to try something new.

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