2023 was a fantastic year for the LJBC Football Academy, with students both past and present achieving great success in competitions and pathways in the world of Football.

Australian National Team Selections (U17s) – 2023 AFC Asian Cup
In July this year LJBC students Gio (Y11) and Daniel (Y12) were selected by Football Australia for the Australian U-17 Men’s National Team (Joeys) for the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Thailand (June 15 – July 2), whilst James (Y10) was named on standby for the squad. Both Giovanni and Daniel scored for their country, with Giovanni scoring against China in a 5-3 victory at Chonburi Stadium, and Daniel scoring against Tajikistan in a 2-0 win at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium. Australia reached the quarter-finals, where they went out of the competition after a 3-1 defeat to Japan.

Daniel – Professional Contract
Congratulations to Daniel (Y12) on signing a professional contract this year with Perth Glory Football Club. Daniel has been named in the A-League squad for the upcoming 2023/24 APL Mens season and has started all of the games so far. He scored his first senior goal against West Ham United in a friendly match at Optus Stadium in July.

Perth Glory, WA State Team and State School Team Selections
The following LJBC Football Academy students achieved Perth Glory and State Team selections this year.

Perth Glory FC Academy: (Y12) GJ, Daniel, Oliver (Y11) Gio, Louis (Y10) Will, James, Theo (Y9) Sean, Andy, Matias, Lisandro (Y8) Tristan (Y7) Kai, Lee, Iago, Munashae (Y6) Charlie, Lee

WA State Team / National Training Centre Selection: (Y10) Niamh (Y7) Esha, Halle
Perth Glory Pre-Academy (Under 12 and below): (Y6) George, Marco (Y5) Cayn, Rhys

School Sport WA Champion Schools Competition
Across Terms 2 and 3, the LJBC Football Academy had boys and girls teams competing in the SSWA Champion Schools Competition across various age categories, from Primary to Senior School. This competition is the highest level of School Sport Football in the State.
Final standings across all age categories
Junior Boys: Quarter Finalists, Intermediate Boys: Runners Up, Senior Boys: Quarter Finalists, Senior Girls: Semi Finalists,  Primary Boys: State Champions, Primary Girls: 3^rd place

School Sport WA State Futsal Titles
This year also saw our Football Academy students compete in the School Sport WA State Futsal Titles.
Final standings across all age categories
Junior Boys: Northern Champions, State Semi Finalists, Junior Girls: Northern Champions, State Semi Finalists, 
Senior Boys: Northern Champions, Senior Girls: State Champions, Intermediate Boys: Northern Champions, State Semi Finalists
Primary Boys: State Champions, Primary Girls: Northern Runners Up, State Semi Finalists

Singapore Tour (SingaCup 2023)
In November, LJBC Football Academy teams competed in the SingaCup Competition in Singapore and reached the Quarter Finals. Two Lake Joondalup Baptist College teams entered the U14 competition, playing against Academy, Club and Representative Sides from all across Asia (including Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia). The teams performed exceptionally in challenging conditions, dealing with humidity, thunderstorms and even lightning delays throughout the week! Highlights included wins against the State Team of South Australia and Lion City Sailors (the top professional team in Singapore), who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the tournament. Outside of football training and games, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture, including shows, dinners and exploring the activities and sights of Singapore (including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island and Universal Studios).

FirstPoint USA
This year, the Football Academy hosted a College Showcase event at LJBC in conjunction with FirstPoint USA, to provide assistance and guidance for those students who are aspiring to pursue a Football Pathway at University in the United States post Year 12. FirstPoint USA are the world’s biggest international sports scholarship agency for universities in the US, and have supported more than 30,000 students from across the world, securing over $300 million in scholarship funding. As part of their Talent ID program in Australia, FirstPoint hosted trials and presentations at the College, giving aspiring student-athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents and find out more about the US sports scholarship process and life as a collegiate athlete.

John Walmsley & Brad Hassell
Football Academy Coaches