Cricket academy launched at Lara Secondary College

LARA Secondary College, Cricket Victoria and Academy Movement have announced a new partnership that will see cricket introduced as a formal subject in the school’s curriculum.

Starting in Term 1 next year, the program will be a first-of-its-kind initiative for cricket in Victoria, offering students the opportunity to integrate cricket into their secondary school classes.

The cricket academy at Lara Secondary College will use the Academy Movement educational model, with resources provided by Cricket Victoria.

It will include:

• Students engaging in a curriculum where cricket is not only a sport but a subject of study
• Academy Movement’s approach of integrating cricket into classroom learning, moving the sport from the playground into a structured academic setting, and
• A comprehensive pathway for students from Year 7 through to tertiary education, connecting opportunities with Cricket Victoria’s Melbourne Cricket Education Academy tertiary program in partnership with RMIT University.

The academy was launched at Lara Secondary College last week, with attendees including Lara MP Ella George, Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Nick Cummins and Melbourne Renegades bowler Will Sutherland.

College principal Luke Skewes said the school was “incredibly proud” to be partnering with Cricket Victoria and Academy Movement.

“We look forward to providing our students the opportunity to engage in their passion for cricket within the curriculum, while opening positive pathways for them to pursue,” he said.

Mr Cummins welcomed the new program.

“We’re excited to see cricket come into the classroom and see the new cricket academy evolve at Lara Secondary College,” he said.

“The broader Geelong region is a significant growth area for Victorian cricket. We have surging participation, strong clubs and opportunities like this allow us to connect students to cricket at a critical point in their lives – at school.”

“I’d like to thank Lara Secondary College for their desire to have cricket complement their curriculum and to our partners at Academy Movement for their work in making the day-to-day operations a reality in 2025.”

Academy Movement founder and director Jimmy Orange said the academy would be tailored for the students at the college.

“This initiative is more than just about cricket; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the field,” he said.

“We are committed to providing students with the tools and opportunities to excel in their sport while also helping them establish clear pathways to future careers.

“Whether their ambitions lie in professional sports or other fields, we look forward to guiding Academy students in pursuing their dreams, building valuable life skills, and achieving their fullest potential in every aspect of their lives.”

Ms George said the academy was a great opportunity for students.