Our Team
Principal’s Welcome
Welcome to Sports College South Australia, a place dedicated to being an authentic, inclusive, forward-thinking, and student-centric learning community.
I am thrilled to welcome you to our newly designed website, which reflects our commitment to innovation, student-centred learning, and a passion for sports.
At Sports College South Australia, we believe in the power of sports to transform lives. We are dedicated to providing a unique learning experience that combines quality learning with a love for sports, empowering our students to achieve their full potential across all components of their lives. Our innovative programs are designed to foster a lifelong passion for learning whilst still equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen paths.
We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where students will learn by having fun and playing sports, and simultaneously achieve great outcomes. Our dedicated staff are committed to nurturing each student’s individual talents and aspirations, ensuring that they have the resources and guidance they need to reach their goals.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about our dynamic sports programs and our vibrant community of adults and young people. Whether you are a prospective student, a current family member, or a community partner, we are confident that you will find something to inspire and engage you at Sports College South Australia.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community and sharing our passion for sports and education with you. Together, we can empower our students to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and champions.
Sincerely,
Matthew Daly
Principal, Sports College SA
Leadership Team
Matthew Daly
Principal
Matthew brings a wealth of international experience as a school leader in both the UK and Australia. Prior to his career in education, Matthew worked as an ICT Analyst in the banking sector, was a professional football player and a sports scientist at various EPL and EFL clubs. Matthew is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership Formation, and holds an MA in Sport Business, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching & Learning, a Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (Principal Preparation), and a BSc (Hons.) in Sport, Health, Exercise, and Nutrition.
Jeremy LeCornu
Deputy Principal
Jeremy is an experienced school leader. He has worked in government schools, most recently as an Assistant Principal for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. He is passionate about transforming teaching and learning through innovation and inspiring students and teachers. Jeremy leads professional learning workshops for teachers around Australia and internationally. His love for sport and the way in which the SCSA allows students to achieve their SACE using a hands-on approach whilst being immersed in the sports industry attracted Jeremy to be SCSA’s first Deputy Principal.
Priscilla Bailey
Assistant Principal (Business)
Priscilla is an experienced school business leader having worked in various schools throughout Australia in the broad business field as well as ensuring the finances of schools are meeting government requirements. The enthusiasm that is shown by students and staff aligns with her core values and she enjoys being part of a progressive, caring environment where the vision is authentic. Priscilla believes being part of an innovative environment is exciting and enables her to engage with several stakeholders and ensure the business component of SCSA supports its staff, students and families.
Dana Kempster
Director of Experience
Respect, relationships and relativity are central tenets to Dana’s philosophy. Her approach is holistic, acknowledging the inextricable link between wellbeing and learning. She is enthusiastic about empowering young people to develop confidence and character as they navigate the adolescent years, guiding them to leverage their strengths and develop a solid personal brand that is alignment with their values. Dana is committed to the ongoing development of a strong and healthy culture at SCSA and is delighted to serve the community as the Director of Experience.
Ashley Jenner
Director of Innovation
Ashley is a forward-thinking leader. He joined the college as a teacher in the Football Program at the beginning of 2020. He loves being able to combine his passion for innovation and problem-solving with the integration of sport. In his role as Director of Learning Innovation, Ashley loves the opportunity to shape new and engaging approaches to learning that benefit young people so that they thrive. Outside of the school setting, Ashley is a family man who enjoys playing and watching sport with family and friends.
Nick Drury
Head of Learning and Inclusion
Nick’s passion lies in developing learning environments that champion student diversity, foster connection, and promote meaningful engagement. As Head of Learning & Inclusion, his aim is to serve the college by progressing a culture of continuous improvement – embedding strategies for inclusion across all elements of teaching and learning. At the core of Nick’s practice is innovation, with broad experience designing bespoke SACE curriculum and VET training in a variety of contexts. Alongside this, Nick has a strong commitment to collaboration.
Kym Williams
Head of Athlete Development
Kym Williams joins the team as Head of Athlete Development, bringing over 15 years of experience in sport and exercise science across both elite sport and academia.
Kym has worked as a professional strength and conditioning coach with athletes from junior development through to Olympic level, while also teaching in areas including biomechanics, performance testing and sports technology as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Active Recreation.
He is passionate about helping young athletes develop their performance, confidence and understanding of high-performance sport.
Antonia Powell
Head of Mentoring
Antonia has board sport industry experience. While working across a range of jobs as a qualified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, swimming teacher and pool lifeguard, she graduated in 2020 from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Activity. In 2021 she broadened her skill set by working in a leadership role for a Summer Camp in the USA prior to joining SCSA as a Student Mentor. She is very passionate about helping students work towards their aspirations and finding pathways that match their interests and skills.
Grace Wilksch
Head of Marketing, Admissions, Communication & Events
Starting at SCSA in 2021 and with 10 years of experience in the industry, Grace strives to make a difference by capturing and sharing students’ memorable moments. Her focus is on highlighting the vibrant school community and fostering connections with staff, students and families. Grace is passionate about creating a welcoming environment where every story is celebrated and shared so everyone can see the great work that is happening at SCSA.
Will Tierney
Head of Student Performance and Wellbeing
As a registered psychologist with a background in sports psychology, Will had the opportunity to work in a range of settings, including in elite sports, schools, and not-for-profit organisations. These experiences have developed his passion for supporting and working with young people especially as they navigate adolescence. He is motivated to improve the support systems around young adults to help foster positive mental health, wellbeing, and performance, whether that be in the classroom or on the sporting field. Will aligns his actions with his values of connection, care, and collaboration, which help him to build positive relationships and empower others to thrive in ways that feel authentic to them.
Kym Williams
Head of Athlete Development
Kym Williams joins the team as Head of Athlete Development, bringing over 15 years of experience in sport and exercise science across both elite sport and academia.
Kym has worked as a professional strength and conditioning coach with athletes from junior development through to Olympic level, while also teaching in areas including biomechanics, performance testing and sports technology as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Active Recreation.
He is passionate about helping young athletes develop their performance, confidence and understanding of high-performance sport.
Kym Williams
Head of Athlete Development
Kym Williams joins the team as Head of Athlete Development, bringing over 15 years of experience in sport and exercise science across both elite sport and academia.
Kym has worked as a professional strength and conditioning coach with athletes from junior development through to Olympic level, while also teaching in areas including biomechanics, performance testing and sports technology as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Active Recreation.
He is passionate about helping young athletes develop their performance, confidence and understanding of high-performance sport.
Sports College SA Staff
AFL
Luke Manuel
Teacher, North Adelaide
Luke has been teaching in Adelaide for 9 years in the Private School sector, most recently as Director of Sport & Co-Curricular for the past 6 years. Luke believes that young individuals in modern society need diverse educational opportunities outside, and the SCSA model offers exactly that. His approach to effective adolescent education is being an ever-present and passionate mentor and role model in the hope that he can inspire students to become intrinsically motivated and strive for excellence in all aspects of life.
Chris Pahl
Teacher, North Adelaide
Chris has over 15 years experience as a Physical and Outdoor Educator and coach, most recently serving as Director of Sport at Seymour College. He holds a degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and is currently completing a PhD exploring how enquiry strategies can enhance learning within contemporary game-based coaching approaches. Central to his teaching and coaching philosophy is the belief that strong, positive relationships form the foundation for growth – enabling students to feel supported, take risks, and reach their potential.
Shannon Murphy
Student Mentor, North Adelaide
Shannon is a high school teacher with a Masters in Physical Education and Health and 5 years’ experience, passionate about student wellbeing and the impact of sport on connection and confidence.
She has coached girls’ state teams, Central District U17.5s, and recently in Darwin, and is a player in the inaugural Central District Women’s League team. Shannon is committed to building positive relationships with young people and supporting their growth on and off the field.
Kurt Roberts
Student Mentor, North Adelaide
Kurt is passionate about all sports and is an experienced youth worker who loves being able to gel my experience in Youth Mentoring and Sports to help young people achieve their goals. Kurt has played sports at all levels for over 20 years but has recently concentrated on AFL, Cricket and football. He still plays cricket for his local club Sandy Creek in the summer and is coach of AFL U17s in the Barossa and U14’s at Central Districts FC. Kurt is dedicated to helping young people find new abilities within themselves and being an inspiration to them by thinking outside the box.
Thomas Latchford
Teacher, West Adelaide
After several years as a teacher and football coach in private schools and high-performance teams, Tom has seen how impactful sports can be on young people’s well-being and development. Building strong relationships with students is a core focus for Tom, and he believes SCSA offers an excellent framework to support personal growth and learning success for all students through their passion for sport and the strong connections they make with likeminded people.
Matthew Broadbent
Student Mentor, West Adelaide
Matthew played at Port Adelaide in the AFL for 11 years and then spent the next four years at South Adelaide in the SANFL as a player and coach, whilst also working in education. These experiences have helped Matthew realise his passion for supporting and working with others to be the best version of themselves, while enjoying his own journey along the way. As a student mentor, Matthew looks forward to helping create a positive environment that gives young people the best chance to achieve their personal goals during their time at SCSA and beyond.
Alana Lishmund
Student Mentor, West Adelaide
Alana’s main focus is to help students get the most out of their time here at SCSA, as she did as a graduate of SCSA. Through supporting them as individuals and assisting their understanding of work, she is very excited to get to know students and do the best she can to be there for them. Alana can relate to the student experience here at the college having completed Year 11 in the soccer program and Year 12 moving to the AFL class. Having a background in a few different sports, she now spends her my time playing for the Norwood SANFLW side, hoping to pursue a career in AFLW one day.
Cameron Hancock
Teacher, Edwardstown
Raeph Caesarowicz
Student Mentor, Edwardstown
Raeph has over 30 years of experience in sports, playing and coaching senior and junior football. Currently, Raeph is the U15 boys coach at Aldinga Football Club. He is passionate about youth sports development and concurrent to his role at SCSA runs his own AFL/sport business ehich is focused on goal-setting. With 10 years as a Learning Support Officer in high schools, Raeph knows the importance of prioritising meaningful relationships and is excited to join SCSA as a mentor for future generations.
Jorgi Stamation
Student Mentor, Edwardstown
With a background in football and education, Jorgi’s passion is in empowering, guiding and supporting student-athletes. He feels fortunate enough to have played the beautiful game for over 25 years, in 3 different countries, and have nearly 15 years of coaching experience under his belt. Jorgi is excited to see what this journey has in-store, and to see the growth and development of students as both people and athletes in some part with the help that Jorgi feels he can provide in empowering young people.
Tim Weatherald
Southern Cluster Leader and Teacher, South Adelaide
Tim has been teaching in Independent schools for 23 years, including schools such as: Prince Alfred College, The Essington School in Darwin and most recently at Westminster school. Tim played 311 SANFL games with the Sturt and Norwood Football Clubs, highlighted by the 2002 premiership and Magarey Medal before spells coaching the North Under 18’s, Waratah Men’s Premier League, Westminster School First XV111, NT Thunder Women’s team, South Australian Under 18 Girls team and assistant at the Adelaide Crows AFLW.
Alistair Fleming
Teacher, South Adelaide
Alistair has been inolved with multiple sports over a period of 18 years. His wide array of experience includes playing and coaching A-grade football in South Australia, along with 6 years in Division 1 tennis, 4 years in club cricket, and 5 years in volleyball. He has coached SAPSASA girls’ football teams to 2 premierships and now arriving at SCSA, Alistair is excited to help young people grow through sport and support students both on and off the field to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Xavier Wagner
Student Mentor, South Adelaide
Jaslynne Smith
Student Mentor, South Adelaide
Having graduated from school in 2018, Jaslynne can relate to life as a student and balancing sporting commitments and the stress that can sometimes come with that. Since graduating, she has spent the majority of her time playing in the SANFLW for South Adelaide, as well as working at the club. She has also been fortunate to have also had numerous coaching opportunities at various levels. Coaching has allowed Jaslynne to enjoy helping and empowering others to reach their potential and achieve their goals.
Basketball
Casey Harnett
Teacher, St Clair
Casey is a passionate educator with extensive experience as a Physical Education and Health Teacher and Head of Sport. She believes in transformational education through sport and creating a successful learning environment based on strong relationships and student well-being. With knowledge and love for basketball, Casey’s aim is to foster a positive and motivating atmosphere where students can excel and develop the skills to reach their full potential in a team based way but where all individuals can thrive to achieve their own aspirations.
Joshua Lloyd
Teacher, St Clair
Josh is very experienced teacher and is the ecollege’s longest serving teacher having joined in 2019. He has been teaching since 2007 in a range of different subjects and roles, including Sport/PE Coordinator, Year 11 Coordinator and Curriculum and SACE Coordinator. Josh’s passion is sport and to see students achieve their best in all they do, being able to take responsibility for their actions to maximise their learning. Josh is also a basketball referee, court supervisor and is a qualified technical assistant who compiles statistics for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL.
Martin Karklins
Student Mentor, St Clair
Martin has a long history with basketball as a player and now coaching at many different levels, inclduing District and State level. Martin’s passion for supporting young people in achieving their goals is at the centre of his approach to mentoring becuase this enables young people to be their best. MArtin has previously worked as a youth worker, but now working at SCSA gives him the opportunity to combine his love of basketball and supporting young people achieve their best in everything they do.
Anthony Mardegan
Student Mentor, St Clair
Anthony is a very commited mentor. He has played the game of basketball for as long as he can remember and has also coached at a high district level across levels ranging from young children to adult youth. Anthony is a humble person who is loved by his students because he genuinely has a deep interest and passion for helping kids succeed in the game alongside their learning. Anthony is also the college MC for may events and you’ll hear his entertaining tones on the mic at any whole school events.
Lachlan Hennig
Teacher, Mitchell Park
Lachie is a dedicated and passionate teacher with a genuine love for sport. He brings enthusiasm to his teaching, with a strong focus on inclusivity, and consistently supports students to be appropriately challenged while achieving personal success. Having spent the majority of his teaching career at Sports College SA, he strongly believes in the effectiveness of this holistic approach to education and takes great pride in seeing students thrive within this environment.
Carla Saponari
Teacher, St Clair
Carla is a highly dedicated and passionate educator. She currently coaches at Norwood Flames and within the State and High-Performance program and is renowned for her commitment to excellence in elite athlete development. She has led teams as a head coach at multiple national tournaments and brings valuable experience as an NBL1 Development Coach. Carla has also attained medal success as an assistant coach representing South Australia in the Under 16 and Under 18 girls programs. Deeply committed to education through sport, Carla champions an inclusive and athlete-centred approach, grounded in meaningful learning experiences, positive relationships, and the transformative power of basketball, enabling all students to realise their full potential.
Lauren Mansfield
Student Mentor, Mitchell Park
Lauren has been playing professional basketball for the last 15 years, and has represented Australia in 3X3 basketball playing in the Commonwealth Games in 2022, the 3X3 World Cup in 2023, and the Olympic Games in 2024. She is a co-owner and lead coach at Complete Athlete Project, a local business which specialises in skills training for female athletes. She has experience coaching skill academies, holiday camps, school clinics, and running off court mentoring and mindset workshops with athletes. She is dedicated to guiding young people towards developing a healthy mindset, supporting their overall wellbeing, and seeing them reach their highest potential.
Joe Jackson
Student Mentor, Mitchell Park
Joe Jackson is a current player in NBL1 for the Woodville Warriors Basketball Club. He coaches a number of basketball teams from district to school and even social competitions. He has a deep passion for mentoring young people, and his main focus is to build strong connections with fellow staff and student athletes, share his experiences and help create an environment where students feel comfortable and safe.
Cricket
Cameron Hext
Teacher, Edwardstown
Cameron has been teaching since 2015 across a range of year levels and subject areas. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated educator who values relationships and solving challenges alongside young people so they areempowered and equipped to succeed. Cameron has a strong interest in many sports including cricket, cycling, footy and basketball. In his spare time he enjoys riding, running, reading and visiting the cafe. He is also personally interested in nutrition, fitness, wellbeing and living a healthy lifestyle.
Bailey Capel
Student Mentor, Edwardstown
Bailey Capel is a passionate cricketer and coach dedicated to helping young athletes develop both on and off the field. With experience playing at First-Class level and holding a SACA professional playing contract for two years, Bailey brings valuable knowledge from competing at a high level. Currently playing for West Torrens District Cricket Club and coaching at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy, he also has experience playing and coaching in the UK. As a mentor, Bailey aims to guide students in achieving their sporting and personal goals, sharing his experiences to help them grow as players, teammates, and individuals.
Football
Daniel Pearce
Northern Cluster Leader and Teacher, Gepps Cross
With over 11 years of experience as a PE teacher, coordinator and classroom teacher, Dan is dedicated to helping students bring their “A Game” and achieve their full potential. His experience across a range of sports, in particular Soccer, Cricket and Golf, has equipped Dan with the skills necessary to help students work towards their sporting and learning goals. Dan specialises in flexible approaches to meeting student interest in both learning and sport becuase he sees the growth in them when their agency is enabled.
Georgia Iannella
Teacher, Gepps Cross
With 19 years of experience in football across professional and elite pathways, Georgia brings a wealth of knowledge from the women’s game. She has played in professional environments including Adelaide United Women and is currently competing in her ninth season of the WNPL.
Georgia holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and a Master of Teaching, and is passionate about using education alongside sport to support student growth. As a teacher, she is committed to helping students discover their goals and build clear, achievable pathways towards them. Her extensive experience in football, particularly within the women’s game, has equipped her with the skills to support students in both their sporting and learning development.
Daniel Roper
Student Mentor, Gepps Cross
Scott Parr
Student Mentor, Gepps Cross
Scott was born in England with a passion for football, playing at academies across the UK.Scott holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science from Flinders University and has worked with Adelaide United in roles such as Youth Team Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, A-League Women’s Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, and Sports Scientist. Scott is very excited to use his experience to help SCSA students reach their full potential both personally and as they seek professional opportunities to work in meaningful and relevant work.
Sam Carmichael
Teacher, Ellis Park
Football and sport has always been the driving factor behind Sam pushing for better. Football has allowed Sam to travel the world playing, coaching and working with some great people, clubs and organisations. Having previously played in the US college system and in the SA NPL competition, Sam has modelled the power of sport and learning combined. Returing to SCSA, Sam is coming from working in the West Ham United Community Program for his second stint at the college and he looks forward to helping students discover their goals and build towards achieving them.
Deanna Riley
Central Cluster Leader and Teacher, Ellis Park
As a very experienced and committed educator, Dee prioritises student agency and meaningful connections so they can achieve educational success. Also, with over a decade of coaching experience in Premier League netball and a lifelong involvement in sports, she is eager to integrate her passion for sport and education at SCSA, advocating for its transformative role in personal development in young people through its power to engage and motivate those who are passionate about it.
Camilo Marin
Student Mentor, Ellis Park
With over 15 years in the sporting industry as a player in Colombia and Australia, Camilo holds a Bachelor in Sport Science and a Master’s in High Performance. Camillo has coached at the A-League’s Western United, and is currently working for the Solomon Islands Football Association as part of their Strength and Conditioning team as part of their World Cup qualification campaign. Camillo is excited to share his experiences so that SCSA’s students can begin to reach their full potential.
Tom Monsigneur
Student Mentor, Ellis Park
Tom is an avid sports fan, and has a passion for sport coaching and working with young people. Returning to SCSA after a year working for Football Australia, Tom is looking forward to making real connections with new and returning students and staff. He is also looking forward to working with the SCSA team to create great memories for students in their final years of school so they achieve their SACE in a fun and progressive environment in order to build their confidence to achieve their own high aspirations.
Danielle Palmer
Teacher, Hallett Cove
Danielle is a caring and passionate leader and teacher. She has taught a range of SACE subjects throughout her teaching career. Danielle has a love for sport with many years of experience in playing and coaching a range of sports including netball, basketball, soccer and Gaelic Football. Her passion lies in fostering meaningful connections with students and creating an inclusive and safe learning environment that supports students to achieve their full potential in both a personal and educative sense.
Richard Neeves
Student Mentor, Hallett Cove
Sport has always been a huge passion for Richard. Richard believes that incorporating education and sport into the classroom provides students with a great opportunity to discover their own pathways while consistently improving their skills. Graduating overseas in 2021 as a student-athlete with a Bachelor of Science, Richrd is excited to contribute to the culture at SCSA by helping students achieve their sporting and academic goals as they step into the next phase of their lives.
Netball
Luke Gray
Teacher, YMCA Marion
Originating from the country town of Loxton with a diverse sports background, Luke brings a unique perspective and passion for fostering healthy lifestyles and lifelong learning. Luke prioritises creating positive and meaningful connections with all students, recognising that these connections are the foundation for a supportive learning environment where he can inspire and guide them towards achieving their full potential. Luke started at SCSA as a student mentor and earned a teaching role beciase of his high level of commitment to young people.
Bec Martin
Student Mentor, YMCA Marion
Bec is a passionate educator who is eager to inspire, motivate and educate young people through sport. She is an experienced teacher but has joined the Sports College team as a student mentor with a focus on connecting with young people and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. Bec believes connection is the key to enhancing student wellbeing which leads to achieving educational success. She prioritises student agency and is dedicated to empowering young people to be the best version of themselves and reach their full potential.
Ellie Kangur
Student Mentor, YMCA Marion
Ellie is a country girl from the Flinders Ranges who moved to Adelaide in 2009. For the last eight years I have worked in a variety of different roles within the South Australian Cricket Association prior to coming and working at SCSA. Ellie was drawn to th ecollege when her role at SACA included working with SCSA students because it allowed her to access her passion for sport and using sport as a vehicle to help young people achieve their dreams and aspirations. Ellie is also passionate about ensuring the people that she works with feel valued and cared about.
Identified Player Program
Adrian Stenta
IPP Ambassador
Adrian brings extensive experience in high-performance football coaching and player development, having spent more than seven years with Adelaide United FC across both the women’s and men’s programs. He led the Club’s A-League Women’s side from 2020, guiding the team to its first finals appearance and twice being named A-League Women Coach of the Year. In 2023, he became the Club’s first full-time Women’s Head Coach before transitioning into the A-League Men’s Assistant Coach role in 2025. Passionate about creating strong development pathways for young players, Adrian looks forward to supporting the Identified Player Program’s continued growth.
Jack Daly
Teacher
Jack brings eight and a half years of experience in public education, including five and a half as a Year Level Leader. He focuses on building strong relationships to support student learning, wellbeing, and engagement. He also holds a Football Australia B Diploma and coaches in a senior NPL program. A lifelong football enthusiast, Jack looks forward to partnering with Adelaide United in the Identified Player Program in 2026.
Business Team & Support Staff
Emma Ingram
Payroll and HR Administrator
Emma joined SCSA in 2019. Emma has been a key team member who has undertaken various roles as part of the flexibility required to be part of a school that continuously innovates and changes the game for both students and staff. With a diverse background spanning education, finance, accounts administration, planning, and process improvement, Emma brings a well-rounded perspective to our team. One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is hearing from families about the positive impact the college has had on their children and on their lives as a whole.
Kim Rodgers
Daily Organisation, Systems and Data Administrator
With over a decade of experience in various areas of educational administration, Kim came to SCSA early in 2024 inspired by the educators that I support and their work to live out the SCSA values as they create a schooling experience where connection and belonging is at the forefront. Kim is always looking for innovation and development in her areas of Daily Organisation, Systems and Data and she look forward to supporting SCSA as it grows and changes into the future.
Kerry Waller
Finance Officer
Kerry’s love for sport started with basketball — her safe place growing up. It gave her community, stability, and a strong sense of belonging that still drives her today. She’s been involved across many roles including player, referee, coach, and media, building a deep understanding of sport’s impact.
In her role on the Business Team, Kerry combines her passion for sport with her skills in numbers, contributing to the College’s strategic plan, Changing the Game.
A graduate of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport Program, Kerry is committed to increasing female representation in sport. She launched her podcast Courtside Coffee Catch-Up and is the only female member of the NBL1 Central Game of the Week commentary team.
Tim Stoeckel
Content Creator
Tim commenced his role at SCSA at the start of 2024 and has been working in Marketing for several years now. Tim’s passion is creating engaging content, from photography and videography to graphic design and written work. Tim is excited to collaborate and create alongside the college, its staff, and students as we continue to grow and showcase the unique experiences that students and staff have at SCSA.
Anastasja Sen
Marketing Assistant
Anastasja joined SCSA in 2024 driven by her passion for creativity and innovation. She loves knowing that she has created an impact in people’s life, whether big or small. Anastasja enjoys bringing ideas to life and celebrating the achievements of our remarkable students. By working collaboratively with the team, she seeks to produce content that resonates with students, staff and the wider SCSA community. Her goal is to share stories that highlight the unique opportunities offered at SCSA and the benefits they provide for young people.
Kia Sulander
Admissions Manager
Kia’s passion lies within helping people and that’s why she has worked in several different customer service roles. Kia has 8 years work experience in the education sector, therefore, starting at SCSA in 2024 ‘felt like a natural move’. Working for an innovative school offering something different for students to thrive has been very rewarding and Kia loves to see students and familes that she has worked with to enrol at the college have a wonderful expereicne and thrive to achieve their goals.
Sarah Anderson
Admissions Administrator
Joining the college’s Business Team in April 2024, Sarah has over 10 years’ of experience working in administration. She enjoys working in a fast-paced office environment and loves to organise and multi-task. Her favourite part of her role is connecting with families and students at the start of their SCSA journey and building a strong rapport that continues until the student’s completion. Sarah loves that the college encourages and provides opportunities for students and staff to develop their individual skills and achieve success.
Abby Dowsett
Admissions Officer
Abby joined Sports College South Australia in 2022 and plays a key role in guiding families through the admissions process. With a passion for helping students find a learning environment that best supports their individual needs, Abby values being part of a community that champions authenticity, inclusivity, and forward-thinking education. She takes great pride in helping families discover an alternative pathway that empowers students to thrive both academically and personally.
She is currently on maternity leave and looks forward to returning to continue supporting families and students at Sports College South Australia.
Emma Newstead
Administration Assistant
Emma joined the college’s Business Team in July 2025, bringing with her over 11 years of customer service experience. She is passionate about supporting families and creating a welcoming environment for current and prospective students. Emma values the opportunity to make a positive impact through her role and enjoys being a friendly, approachable presence within the college community. Her enthusiasm for sports has also helped her build strong connections with both the team and students.
Emma looks forward to continuing to grow within the SCSA team and exploring new opportunities to contribute.
Mandy Williams
Finance Manager
Mandy brings over 25 years of experience in the education sector, with a strong focus on finance and administration. Having worked across a range of fast-paced school environments, she is highly organised, detail-oriented and skilled in managing multiple priorities with efficiency. Mandy joined the Business Team in 2026 and is already contributing to a collaborative and supportive team environment. She is committed to upholding the ethos and vision of the College and takes pride in supporting its day-to-day operations. With a passion for sport and independent education, Mandy values the opportunities Sports College SA provides to students, families, staff and is excited to be part of the College’s continued growth and future development.
Jen Starkey
Events and Partnerships Coordinator
With over 25 years’ experience in television and radio, Jen has a strong background in media, communications, and events. She has held a range of roles within news production and contributed to the coverage of major news and sporting events.
Jen has coached and volunteered across a variety of sports and is passionate about supporting the development and wellbeing of young athletes. She values teamwork and collaboration and is committed to creating positive, engaging experiences that help students thrive beyond the classroom.
Megan Mercer
Sports Partner Coordinator and Events Operation Support
Megan has a strong passion for sport and wellbeing and was a soccer player until she retired at the age of 20 due to injury. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in teaching and share her love for physical activity with others. Megan is dedicated to helping young people find their passion in life and is always striving to make a positive impact on the communities I serve. Megan is also passionate about teaching and learning and will always be found taking on new ideas that make learning interesting and relevant.
She is currently on maternity leave and looks forward to returning to continue supporting the relationship between SCSA and our partners.
Heidi McGown
Pathway Support Coordinator
Heidi has a strong background as a classroom teacher. She has dedicated many years to supporting young people in their educational journeys and fostering an inclusive environment where they can explore their passions and potential.
Over the past several years, she has worked within the VET sector at a private RTO, where she earned her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. During this time, she had the privilege of assisting students across the state to achieve their qualifications through traineeships or by preparing them for successful transitions into the workforce.
Student Performance and Wellbeing
Hannah Geelan
Physiotherapist (0.6 FTE)
Thomas Johnson
Counsellor (1.0 FTE)
With a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Thomas is passionate about supporting young people as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and personal growth. As a school counsellor, Thomas works closely with students, families, and staff to promote wellbeing, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Drawing on extensive experience supporting students, Thomas helps young people develop balance between performance and self-care, fostering confidence both in learning and in life. Grounded in values of compassion, inclusion, and authenticity, Thomas strives to create a warm and supportive environment where every student feels seen and empowered to thrive.
Megan Woods
Counsellor (1.0 FTE)
As a passionate Counsellor, Art Therapist Practitioner and Mental Health Coach, Megan is excited to bring her extensive experience of supporting young people across diverse educational, sporting, and not-for-profit settings to the SCSA as she begins in 2025.
Through working with young people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, Megan understands the importance of a tailored, whole-person approach to mental health and wellbeing. She is especially passionate about integrating sporting and creative modalities in the Wellbeing space to foster engagement, confidence, and self-expression in young people.
Heidi Lewis
Provisional Psychologist
(1.0 FTE)
Heidi is currently studying a Master of Professional Psychology at Flinders University and is excited to learn and work as a provisional psychologist with Sports College South Australia in a forward-thinking learning community that is responsive to the academic and wellbeing needs of students.
Heidi provides Cognitive and Learning Performance Assessments to help uncover each student’s unique learning profile. She is driven to support students through evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to their current circumstances and future goals, offering holistic and personalised support.
Chris Lynch
Mental Performance Practitioner
Chris is passionate about supporting people to grow, develop self-awareness and build a healthy sense of identity so they can excel in ways that are sustainable and balanced. He values being part of teams working toward a shared purpose and brings a genuine curiosity for each student’s development and experience.
Chris believes human development is strongest when people understand themselves. His focus is on helping student athletes make sense of where they are, strengthen who they are becoming, and move forward with clarity on the sporting field, in the classroom and in life.