Tuesday, 28 May 2024

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (13:08): I recently attended Academy Movement’s fundraising lunch in South Melbourne with the good member for Melton and the member for Lara as well, as that organisation continues its efforts to bring sports education and training to more schools throughout Victoria. Academy Movement is a not-for-profit organisation founded and run by the unstoppable Jimmy Orange. He does a really terrific job in supporting our young people and our Pasifika community in particular. Academy Movement provides structured sports and rugby training and development in schools through academies such as the one that is established in my electorate. The academy at Narre Warren South P–12 College has given students a chance to play in grade sport at a grassroots level while providing them with a positive pathway to be a successful member of our community and possibly even an athlete at a state or national level. Students have had the chance to meet, train with and learn from Australian and international rugby union stars and receive guidance on skills for sport and life. Academy Movement’s programs help with real change in students and in particular their education outcomes. The outcomes for students in terms of retention, their academic results, fitness and future careers both within and outside rugby have really been very, very positive, and it was just great to see this government’s $747,000 investment from the state budget recently to help support Academy Movement. I would like to thank Jimmy Orange and the Academy Movement for their fantastic work.