St John’s Sports Academy
The St John’s Sports Academy offers specialised football and basketball programs for girls and boys.
Tailored to young students’ sporting aspirations, the academy provides an integrated academic pathway for student-athletes to develop their athletic skills while pursuing their education. Programs are available to enrolled students and are delivered in partnership with qualified coaches.
Our academy prioritises the holistic care and well-being of all students, closely monitoring both their academic and athletic achievements. We are proud to offer high-quality, specialized sports programs that enable students to reach their full potential through a variety of focused program streams.
Enrolment:
The St John’s Sports Academy is for students from Year 7 onwards. You can book your position in the program by completing an enrolment form. To be part of the St John’s Sports Academy you must be a St John’s Regional College Student
In 2026, preference for students entering St John’s Sports Academy will be given to those who are actively competing with sporting clubs in basketball or football each weekend. This ensures that our student-athletes are committed to their sport and are continuously honing their skills in a competitive environment.
External Enrolment
Step 1: Expression of Interest
- Submit an Expression of Interest form available here:
Step 2: Trial and Interview
- Students invited to a trial session (skill assessment).
- Shortlisted students invited for a short interview with academy staff and provide most current school report.
Step 3: Offer of Place
- Successful applicants offered a position with an enrolment agreement outlining expectations (sport, academics, conduct).
Step 4: Induction
- Students participate in an Academy Induction Program.
What the Program Includes
Training consists of specialised football and basketball practices, both indoor and outdoor, held during the school day. Training sessions are designed to help students develop as individuals and as a team. Training provides students with a variety of learning opportunities including technical, tactical, physical and psychological training. All training is held at St John’s Regional College during the school day.
Students enrolled in the St John’s Sports Academy benefit from a comprehensive and professionally delivered program designed to support both athletic and personal development.
Key features include:
- Qualified Coaching Team
Programs led by experienced, highly qualified, and enthusiastic professional coaches. - Year-Round Training
Access to our FIFA grade synthetic football pitch, running track, irrigated grass oval, indoor basketball stadium, outdoor courts and weights room throughout the school year. - Academy Training Gear
Students receive a full NIKE training kit: top, shorts, socks, and training jacket. - Elite Guest Appearances
Special visits and workshops with current and former A-League and NBL players and coaches. - Strength and Conditioning
Targeted sessions to enhance fitness, injury prevention, and overall athletic performance. - Supportive Environment
A secure and safe learning space, surrounded by like-minded student-athletes who share a passion for sport. - Structured Academy Time
A minimum of 4 hours of Academy training sessions per fortnight, integrated into the school timetable. - Optional Lunchtime Gym Sessions
Weekly gym sessions supervised by qualified staff and aligned with each student’s individual athletic goals. - Alignment with Curriculum Pathways:
- Years 7–10: Victorian F-10 Health and PE Curriculum, plus specialist sports training.
- Years 11–12: Certificate III in Sport and Recreation with practical industry placements (e.g., coaching, refereeing, fitness).
- Games/Matches:
- Participation in local interschool sports competitions – Southern Independent Schools.
- Internal academy tournaments and exhibition matches.
Program Pricing
The St John’s Sports Academy offers exceptional value for a high-quality, specialised athletic development experience:
- Academy Program Fee: $500 per student (includes coaching, training gear, and all sessions)
- Optional Weekly Lunchtime Gym Sessions: Additional $100 per year
Fees cover the full academic year and contribute to the cost of gear, facilities, and professional staffing.
Academy Program
Year 7-12- 1 Additional Gym training sessions per week +$100
- Total Cost $600 for students taking up the optional extras
Coaching Team: St John’s Regional College Sports Academy
- Sports Academy Leader – Ben McGee
- Football – Ljuban Palinic, Mick Svaljek, Tom Paton, Ash Fraraccio , Candela Ferreyra-Bas ,
- Basketball – Rick Vos
- Strength & Conditioning specialist – Mark Bowler
Ben McGee – Sports Academy Leader
MBA- ( Sports Management Focus ) and B. Ed In Physical Education
Ben is a passionate educator and advocate for the role of sport in youth development. He founded the Hallam Sports Academy in 2005 and the Parkdale Elite Sports Pathway in 2010, helping many students pursue professional careers in AFL, soccer, basketball, and golf.
Sporting Background
His own sporting background is in Australian Rules Football, where he both played in and coached multiple premiership-winning teams:
1989 – St John’s Regional College: Senior State Champions (Sun Cup)
1992 & 1994 – Noble Park Football Club: Senior Premierships
1996 – Warragul: Senior Premiership
2000 – Bunyip Football Club: Senior Premiership Coach
2005 – St John’s Old Collegians: Senior Premiership Coach
2011 – Hallam AFL Academy: State Championship Coach
He has also held leadership roles including Commercial Manager for the Melbourne Tigers and Melbourne Central Basketball Association, and National Manager for the Simon Black AFL Academy.
Coaching Qualifications
Master’s in Business and Sports Management
Bachelor of Physical Education
Level 2 Accredited AFL Coach
Coaching Experience
With over 30 years of experience across coaching and teaching, Ben has worked at all levels of competition, including:
Noble Park Football Club
Dandenong Southern Stingrays
Sandringham Dragons
Melbourne Tigers
Melbourne Central Basketball Association
His experience spans coaching, program development, and sports business management.
Career Highlights
Founding and leading two successful school sports academies
Coaching and playing in multiple premierships
Supporting students to balance education and elite sport
Leading in both education and commercial sports environments
As a proud alumnus of St John’s Regional College, Ben returns with a deep connection to the school and a vision to build a thriving, high-performance Sports Academy. Inspired by the strong foundations of the existing soccer program, he is excited to lead the next chapter, integrating basketball and further expanding student opportunities.
He is committed to creating a program that enables students to excel both academically and athletically, combining quality education with elite sporting pathways.
Ljuban Palinic – Director of Football
Ljuban’s playing background includes playing as a midfielder for Oakleigh Cannons in the Victorian Premier League and Dandenong City SC. He played the game for 15 years before turning his full attention to a coaching career at the age of 19 years of age. As a junior, Ljuban represented the Victorian school boys.
Coaching Qualifications
- Football Australia – AFC “A” Coaching License
- Football Australia – AFC Professional Diploma (working towards)
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, delivering Certificate III in Sports and Recreation
- Masters degree in Mental Health Clinical Nursing
Coaching Experience
- Over 15 years’ experience in a variety of roles and positions
- Dandenong City SC (NPL) – Director of Football
- Dandenong City SC (NPL) – Senior Head Coach
- Dandenong City SC (NPL) – Technical Director
- Melbourne Victory SC (A League) – Head Coach U15’s to U21’s
- Bentleigh Greens SC (NPL) – Senior Assistant Coach
- Football Technique Australia – Director and Head Coach
Career Highlights
- Four of the players coached at Melbourne Victory went on to earn professional contracts, with three currently playing in Europe.
- NPL Championship with Bentleigh Greens SC
- NPL Dockerty Title with Bentleigh Greens SC
- NPL2 Champions with Dandenong City SC
- Securing Tier 1 for all NPL Youth Teams at Dandenong City SC
Ljuban is deeply passionate about giving children the opportunity to pursue their love of sport while continuing their education. He believes that sport and education go hand-in-hand, supporting and complementing each other in a young person’s development. His commitment lies in helping students grow as individuals, players, and athletes. He hopes to bring a professional football program to St John’s Sports Academy—one where students thrive through their passion for the game.
Candela Ferreyra Bas – Academy Coach (Football)
Candela has been playing the world game since the age of 10. She represented Victoria at the National Championships from ages 12 to 16 and was selected for the All-Star Team during that time. At 15, she began competing in the National Premier League Women’s (NPLW) and continues to play at this elite level.
Sporting Background
She plays primarily as a striker and midfielder and has represented several top NPLW clubs including South Melbourne FC, Bayside United FC (now Bentleigh Greens), Alamein FC, Box Hill United FC, Southern United, Sandringham FC, and Chelsea FC throughout her junior years. She currently plays for Boroondara Eagles FC in the 2025 NPLW season.
Coaching Qualifications
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (ESSA-sequence)
- Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) with majors in Biology and Health & Human Development
- Community Coaching Certificate
- Accredited NPL-level football coach
Candela has coached with NMFC’s Huddle Up program, supporting young people aged 5–18 from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee backgrounds. She is also involved in coaching through her current club’s Skills and Specialist Programs, and at St John’s Regional College Sports Academy, where she coaches skill development and first touch.
Coaching Experience
With over 7 years of experience in schools and community sport, Candela has worked with a wide range of athletes and young people. Her coaching roles have involved both grassroots and elite-level programs, combining technical instruction with mentoring and personal development. She brings energy and deep understanding to player development through individualised and team-based coaching.
Career Highlights
- 2017 NPLW Gold Medal Winner – voted Best Player in the league by referees
- Awarded a train-on contract with Melbourne City FC, training alongside Matildas such as Steph Catley, Kyah Simon, and Lydia Williams
- Runner-up for NPLW Gold Medal in 2018
- Promotion to the NPLW with Casey FC after two strong seasons (2022–2024) in the VPLW
Candela’s passion for coaching is grounded in her own experience as a player and mentor. Joining the St John’s Sports Academy felt like a natural step, allowing her to work alongside other NPL coaches to guide students both athletically and personally.
She believes in using football as a vehicle for building character, resilience, and community. Her coaching philosophy blends technical development with the values of discipline, hard work, and personal growth. As both a current NPLW player and educator, she is dedicated to helping students thrive both on the pitch and in life.
Tom Paton – Head of Football
Tom has played football at his local club, Berwick City, since the age of 5, all the way through to 21 and now is pursuing a career in coaching.
Coaching Qualifications
- Football Australia – AFC “B” Coaching License (working towards)
- Bachelor degree in Accounting and Management
Coaching Experience
- Over 8 years’ experience, predominantly in the youth age group (up to U17’s)
- Kingston City SC (NPL) – Junior Co-ordinator and NPL Coach
- Melbourne Victory SC (A League) – Female Pathways Coach, Pre-Academy Lead, Boys NPL Academy Coach
- Dandenong City SC (NPL) – Head Coach
- Football Technique Australia – Schools Program Lead
Career Highlights
- Four of the players coached at Melbourne Victory went on to earn professional contracts, with three currently playing in Europe.
- NPL u15 Championship 2022 (unbeaten) with Kingston City SC
- NPL u14 Championship 2023 with Kingston City SC
Tom’s personal goal in football is to inspire and drive the love of the game. He is intrinsically rewarded from seeing an individual’s growth as a person and a player. St John’s Academy is a rewarding space that is catering for high performing individuals as well as those discovering their love for football and using it as a social tool. His desire is to inspire students to be the best version of themselves and help develop skills applicable to their own lives away from the football pitch; accountability, team work, leadership, problem solving and analytical skills.
Justin Chungue – Academy Coach (Football)
Justin played junior football at Berwick City but had to stop as he got older due to school commitments and ongoing ankle injuries. This led Justin to shift his focus and take up coaching.
Coaching Qualifications
- Football Australia – AFC “B” Coaching License
- Football Australia – AFC “A” Coaching License (working towards)
Coaching Experience
Justin began his coaching career four years ago when he joined Dandenong City, under the guidance of Football Director Ljuban Palinic. Since then, he has taken on a range of coaching roles each season, including U15s NPL Division 3 Head Coach, U6–U9 Phase Lead, U16s NPL Division 1 Assistant Coach, U12 Academy Head Coach, and is currently serving as both the Miniroos Technical Director and U17s NPL Division 1 Head Coach.
Career Highlights
A major highlight for Justin was founding his own soccer team, Timor-Leste Galaxy, which competes in the Melbourne U-Nite tournament each off-season, as well as in various other competitions. The club was created to support and develop players of Timor-Leste heritage living in Australia. Earlier this year, the team won its first trophy, and three players—Beckham Baker, Jorge Godinho, and Liam Farrugia—were selected for the Timor-Leste National Team. Most notably, Liam recently made his international debut as a starting player in the Asian Cup Qualifiers against the Maldives.
Another career highlight has been my journey with Dandenong City. Just four years ago, the club’s junior program was competing in Division 3. Through years of dedication, hard work, and a shared passion among the coaching staff, we made history—elevating all Junior NPL teams to Division 1. More importantly, we built a program where players not only develop their skills but also feel genuinely valued.
This is Justin’s 4th year in the St John’s Sports Academy. His main inspiration was to be given the opportunity to develop the next generation in not only to become better soccer players but also better individuals as well.
The program and students have grown each year and it’s great to see the passion and dedication these students have to train and participate each week.
Justin hopes to bring his enthusiasm, knowledge and wisdom to the program. To help shape the students to become better versions of themselves.
Cristian Macciocca – Assistant Coach
Christian has been playing football since he was 5 years old, starting out at Casey Comets. Over the years, he has played for various NPL clubs including Dandenong City, Langwarrin FC, and Malvern City. After progressing through youth football, Cristian signed with White Star Dandenong FC, where he is currently playing. He has also been part of representative pathways such as Rowville Football Academy, with whom he won a state title.
Coaching Qualifications
I currently hold a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, which provided me with the skills to run effective gym and football sessions under the guidance of SEDA. I am currently finalising my Coaching C License to further develop my coaching knowledge and experience and then will be attending the B Licence.
Coaching Experience
I have 4 years of coaching experience. I began with Football Focus Academy on weekends and later completed work experience followed by employment at Carwatha College p-12.
I have now been part of the St John’s Sports Academy team for six months.
Career Highlights
Some key highlights from my career include:
- Making my senior team debut at Brandon Park in State League 1
- Winning a state title with Rowville Football Academy
- Finishing third in the SEDA Cup tournament with my class in Perth
What inspired me to join the St John’s Sports Academy was witnessing how much it has already grown and seeing the potential for it to evolve into something even bigger. It has incredible potential to bring students’ passion for sport into a school environment.
Being the youngest coach on staff in the FTA Team, I bring a youthful energy and excitement to the team. At the same time, I’m grateful to be mentored by Tom, Ljuban and Justin, which allows me to continue developing into a high-performance coach. My goal is to contribute positively to the student-athletes’ development both on and off the field.
Emma Pearce – Director of Basketball
Emma’s love for basketball began in her junior days, representing the Wattle Park Saints before progressing to the Bulleen Boomers. Her talent and determination saw her rise through the ranks to proudly represent both Victoria and Australia in youth and senior competitions. She later took her career overseas, playing college basketball for South Dakota in the United States, before returning home to compete at an elite level in the NBL1 competition.
Over the past five years, Emma has also embraced the fast-paced world of 3×3 and street-style basketball, competing internationally and representing Australia on the global stage. Her experience across both traditional 5×5 and 3×3 formats has shaped her into a versatile and tactical player who values strategy, focus, and mindset as much as physical performance.
Coaching & Leadership
Founder – FIERCE Basketball (Elite Athlete Development Program)
Emma is the founder of FIERCE Basketball, an elite coaching program dedicated to personalised athlete development. Her coaching philosophy focuses on helping athletes achieve their goals both on and off the court, with an emphasis on long-term growth rather than short-term results.
Playing Experience
- Wattle Park Saints – Junior Representative
- Bulleen Boomers – Junior Representative
- Victoria – State Representative (Youth & Senior)
- Australia – Youth & Senior Representation
- South Dakota (USA) – College Basketball
- NBL1 – Senior Competition
- 3×3 Red Bull Half Court – Australian Representative
Career Highlights
- NBL1 Conference Champion
- NBL1 National Champion
- ANZAC Medal Recipient – ANZAC Round
- ABBA Tournament (Perth) – MVP, All Star 5, Top Scorer (Representing Victoria)
- 3×3 Red Bull Half Court World Finals – Dubai (Representing Australia)
Community Involvement
3×3 Basketball Development Programs – Northern Territory Aboriginal Communities
As Director of Basketball, Emma brings elite playing experience, international exposure, and a deep understanding of both 5×5 and 3×3 formats. She is passionate about developing resilient, intelligent athletes who understand the “mental game” as well as the physical demands of competition.
Emma is inspired to be part of the St John’s Sports Academy through its commitment to nurturing young athletes and providing meaningful development pathways. In her role, she aims to foster confidence, discipline, adaptability, and a lifelong love of the game.
Mark Bowler – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Mark’s sporting background is Australian Rules Football (AFL) playing representative level at both junior and senior level, Captaining Dandenong and District Junior Football League and was a representative player at Ballarat Football League (Division 1 VCFL)
Coaching Qualifications
- Bachelor of Education (Physical Education)
- Certificate IV (Strength and Conditioning)
- AFL Club Level 3 Coach Accreditation
- AUSWIM
- Gymnastics Australia – Fundamental Gymnastics Coach
Coaching Experience
- Over 20 years coaching a variety of sports including Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, AFL and Basketball at APS and GSV level.
- 15 years as a personal trainer in the fitness/strength and conditioning industry.
- 5 years plus as a squad swimming coach.
- Frankston Dolphins Football Club – Head Fitness Coach
- Frankston Blues Basketball Club (VJBL VC) – Assistant Coach
- Mt Erin Sports Academy
As a young boy, Mark was focused on being an AFL footballer, being recruited to Melbourne Football Club Under 19 program as a 17 year old was a dream come true.
Playing his first game of senior football as a 16 year old is something he’ll never forget.
Another career highlight being the experience he gained in the Strength and Conditioning field working with the then Oakland Raiders (NFL)
Mark’s inspiration to be a part of the St John’s Sports Academy team is due to the reputation of the program within the industry, the amazing facilities the College has to offer and the overall professionalism of the Academy.
As a member of the St John’s Sports Academy, I hope to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge as a specialist strength and conditioning coach. My knowledge in combination with the incredible caliber of skills coaches at both soccer and basketball, will undoubtedly help students reach their full potential.
Ashleigh Fraraccio- SJRC Football Coach
Played for Mooroolbark Soccer Club since 2010 as high as State League 1, currently the State 2 Senior Women’s Goal Keeper.
Have played as a defensive midfielder, right back, center back but for the past 6 seasons I have been the Goal Keeper.
Coaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Physical Education
Australian Sports Commision Community Coaching Certificate
Future plan is to obtain my coaching license through Football Australia, but this will be once I have retired from playing
Coaching Experience
I have had some assistant coaching roles at Mooroolbark particularly with our junior girls sides
Have been part of the SJRC Football Academy team since 2023
Career Highlights
2024 Senior Keeper of the Year for the Club (across all senior teams both Men and Women at Mooroolbark)
2019 Club Captain for the State 3 Senior Women’s team
2017 Season won State League 3 at Knox City Soccer Club
I was inspired to be part of the St John’s Sports Academy team as it encapsulates my love of the sport and part of the reason I love being a teacher- seeing students pursue a passion and endeavour to improve.
I hope that my involvement in the program encourages and supports more young female athletes, in particular, to join the Academy and have the opportunity to grow their skills in a safe and supportive environment. I believe sport plays a vital role in the development of well rounded, happy and healthy people, and so to be able to contribute to a system that provides a platform for that to occur as part of a rigorous academic program is a privilege.
