John Brumby - Maribyrnong Sports Academy

A new $14.7 million school sports academy in Melbourne's west will help young athletes reach their full potential in more than 20 sports.

Opening the Maribyrnong Sports Academy at Maribyrnong College today, Premier John Brumby and Education Minister Bronwyn Pike joined former Collingwood star Peter Daicos and champion basketballer Chris Anstey to tour the new facilities.

Mr Brumby said the new specialist sports academy would encourage more than 450 young athletes to continue pursuing their dreams.

"The Maribyrnong Sports Academy is a fantastic new facility that will enhance the performance of Victoria's young sporting stars across 20 sports," Mr Brumby said.

"The academy features an indoor running track, cutting-edge training and recovery facilities and performance analysis technologies to help the students keep improving.

"Students will have access to the benefits of state-of-the-art video cameras and GPS technology to track and record their performance.

"The facilities have been built to meet international standards, so the academy is now capable of hosting visiting international teams and other elite sport groups."

The Premier was joined by Peter Daicos and Chris Anstey, along with former Australian swimmer Linley Frame, Cricket Victoria CEO and former Australian Test cricketer Tony Dodemaide and champion hurdler Pam Ryan to open the facility.

Sports that will be studied at the academy include AFL, athletics, baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, diving, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, netball, rugby, swimming, badminton, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball.

The Maribyrnong Sports Academy has links with other specialist sports schools in Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, Denmark, Finland, South Africa and Canada as well as partnerships with Victoria University, Victorian Institute of Sport and the Western Bulldogs.

Ms Pike said students studying at the academy would be offered a curriculum that balanced academic learning with sporting excellence.

"The learning program will promote a high performance culture, personal development and academic outcomes," Ms Pike said.

"Students will have access to the very best coaching staff and will study subjects such as nutrition, exercise science, public speaking, stress management, financial planning and leadership training.

"Through the $1.9 billion Victorian Schools Plan, the Brumby Labor Government has delivered this amazing facility -- which is a great example of our commitment to providing the very best education options for our kids."

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