10 March 2026
Mindarie students continue to kick goals, both in and out of the classroom, after a program designed to support those who compete in elite sports was expanded for 2026.
The Mindarie Senior College Talented and Elite Athletes Mindarie (TEAM) program launched in 2025 before growing to include both Year 11 and 12 students this year.
Mindarie Senior College's sports science lab, Moordidjabiny.
Fifty elite athlete students are in the program, which supports a range of sports including baseball, gymnastics, cycling, cricket, water polo, AFL and soccer.
Among those in the program is Year 11 student Jake Coorey, who represented WA at the 2026 Australian Youth Baseball Championship in Melbourne recently.
The program enables students, such as Jake, who engage in representative or competitive elite sports, to be recognised for the significant learning that comes with such activities.
Students learn to maintain their health and wellbeing, including all aspects of recovery, injury prevention, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology.
A new sports science lab was built at the college, combining a classroom with a gym, to support students with their learning and development.
The high-tech facility is named Moordidjabiny, which is a Noongar word that means “becoming strong” or “making strong”.
Program coordinator Adelle Macdonald said the program was designed to support elite athletes in both their academic endeavours and development in their chosen sport.
“The students experience a variety of guest speakers and excursions that develop their knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be elite,” she said.
“The program aims to support these elite students in the achievement of a WA Certificate of Education (WACE) and to effectively cope with the pressures of senior secondary schooling combined with participation in elite sports.”
Admission to the program is by application, interview, and assessment against criteria, requiring references from sporting coaches or relevant sporting bodies.