High Performance
Mick Chiovetti
As we wrapped up Term 3 at the Islamic College of Sport, I’m proud to reflect on the progress our student-athletes have made across all areas of their development. This term has been both challenging and rewarding, with programs carefully designed to build on the foundations laid in Terms 1 and 2, while also pushing our athletes to new levels of performance.
One of the major focuses this term has been the delivery of individualised strength and conditioning programs. Each student-athlete is following a plan tailored to their goals; whether they’re chasing success in team sports, combat disciplines, general fitness, or recovering from injury. With those strong foundations in place, we’ve now increased the difficulty and complexity of movements in the gym, developing not just strength but also coordination, control, and confidence under load.
Alongside this, our athletes engaged in an advanced plyometric program, designed to sharpen their reactive power and acceleration. These drills are critical for explosive movements in competition and have been carefully structured to ensure progression without risking overload. Complementing this has been our cross-training program, which gave athletes the opportunity to build both aerobic and anaerobic power in ways that supported their in-season performance, rather than leaving them fatigued for game day.
A real highlight of Term 3 was the ICS Winter Challenge. Students were placed into teams of five or six and competed in a variety of fun yet demanding events, from AMRAP circuits to skill-based challenges and fitness tests. The atmosphere was electric; full of energy, teamwork, and resilience; as each group pushed themselves and supported one another in the pursuit of being crowned ICS Winter Challenge Champions. It was fantastic to see not only physical development, but also the growth of leadership, camaraderie, and school spirit.
Beyond our high-performance environment, our student-athletes proudly represented ICS in School Sports Victoria competitions. A special mention goes to our AFL team, who reached the state semi-finals; an outstanding result for a school that is only in its second year. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and belief our athletes bring to their training and competition.
