FOREWORD
Aspart of the development of our Strategic Intent in 2016, it became clear that a similar program would be necessary at Lindisfarne to support our highly talented students who are combining school and HSC studies with careers as elite junior athletes at a state, national and international level.
Originally known as the Lindisfarne Sports Academy, the program was renamed the Matt Fydler Sports Academy as a living memorial to our esteemed colleague, friend, teacher and mentor Mr Matt Fydler who passed away on 22, January 2022 after a courageous fight against a rare form of cancer. Our leading athletes are inspired by Mr Fydler’s legacy and by the ambassadors of the Academy who have strong records of high achievement at national and international levels in their own careers as elite athletes.
In addition, members of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy have access to specialist services including Physiotherapy, Sports Psychology, Dietetics and weights training
The Matt Fydler Sports Academy has been based on the highly successful Griffith University Sports College which is a program supporting tertiary students to combine their studies with careers as elite athletes.
in consultation with their specialist coaches within and outside of the School.
In establishing what is now known as the Matt Fydler Sports Academy I remain most appreciative of the encouragement that we have received from the Director of the Griffith University Sports College Mr Duncan Free OAM, and the drive and vision of the inaugural Directors of the Lindisfarne Sports Academy (the late) Mr Matt Fydler and co-founder of the Academy Mr Matt Bedford in bringing this exciting initiative to fruition.
In addition, the contribution of Dr Joseph Coyne who has consulted to Lindisfarne has assisted in strengthening the pillars of the Sports Academy program and its offerings. We are indeed privileged to have such expert local and international expertise guiding the development of our Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
The naming of the Academy in memory of Mr Matt Fydler is another important step in our journey to support our exceptional
Lindisfarne student athletes to perform with distinction on the national and international stage in the years to come whilst maintaining an important focus on achievement in their current and future studies.
Mr Stuart Marquardt Principal
Matt Fydler Sports Academy
MATT FYDLER
In 2022, to recognise the significant contribution that Matt Fydler made to Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School 2000-2022 and the local community, the Lindisfarne Sports Academy was renamed as a living memorial in his honour, the Matt Fydler Sports Academy. Whilst Matt Fydler contributed to all aspects of School life during his years of outstanding service his absolute passion was the Sports Academy he helped to establish in 2017.
Asa local youth, Matt Fydler was heavily involved in the sporting community, firstly as a representative in soccer and rugby league for the Far North Coast region and also as a State CHS medallist for swimming and athletics. In Matt's final year of high school, he received the Pierre De Coubertin Award in recognition of his many sporting achievements at an elite level and for demonstrating the philosophy of the Olympic spirit.
Matt then continued his passion for sport by completing a Bachelor of Human Movement (Sport Science degree) and a Diploma of Education in order to share his
extensive sporting knowledge, skills and experience with high school students.
In 2003, Matt started teaching PDHPE at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School and was the Head of St Barnabas House. In this role he was committed to ensuring the wellbeing of students; supporting and nurturing the individual’s emotional, social and academic needs.
A brief meeting between Principal Stuart Marquardt, Matthew Bedford and Matt Fydler around the idea of providing an elite training and development facility at Lindisfarne was the catalyst in the formation of the Lindisfarne Sports Academy. From there the idea gathered momentum and Matt Fydler was a major driving force behind this. His passion for creating an environment where students could excel in their chosen sport and remain committed to their studies was always front of mind in all his decisions.
A key element in all of the early decisions relating to the formation of the Sports Academy was the concept of value adding to the student. Matt was committed to answering the question, ‘How could we improve the whole athlete as a result of being in the Sports Academy?’ Matt was instrumental in the initial involvement of our Strength and Conditioning coach Rory Davies, the continuing contributions of
Abra Garfield in Sports Psychology and our Sports Dieticians, and the formation of Masterclass sessions with our Academy ambassadors.
Matt was committed to supporting and inspiring the School's young athletes to acheive their academic and sporting goals. His legacy will live on through the Matt Fydler Sports Academy, encouraging current and future students to pursue their dreams.
The loss of Matt Fydler, a much loved and admired leader, who truly celebrated his students' successes and acheivements continues to be deeply felt. It is a privilege for our Community to be able to honour Matt’s perseverance, endeavours and intentions through the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
Directors' Message
In keeping with the Strategic Intent of the school, it gives us great pride to oversee the development of student athletes in the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
Mr Stuart Marquardt’s vision has quickly taken shape and the result is a Sports Academy which will allow our elite student athletes to continue to strive at the highest level.
Students will benefit from the expertise of past Lindisfarne students who are now industry leaders in their chosen fields. By attending a number of ‘masterclasses’, Academy students will be presented with opportunities to enhance their knowledge to further achieve in their chosen sport. A key component of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy’s framework was the recruitment of these past students in the role of ‘industry specialists.’ Their involvement will further enhance the strong sense of community that has become synonymous with Lindisfarne over recent years.
The inaugural inductees to the Matt Fydler Sports Academy will have displayed an outstanding level of achievement in their chosen fields. Of course, continued success requires further dedication and commitment, and the Sports Academy is designed to work in conjunction with these talented athletes to support them on this journey.
The Matt Fydler Sports Academy is proudly supported by our Sports Ambassadors. Duncan Free OAM, Chris Fydler OAM, Sharon Buchanan OAM, Joel Parkinson, Samantha Riley OAM and Bill Chaffey who will each bring a wealth of experience from a vast sporting landscape and we look forward to the role they will play with the Academy members.
The vision shown by Mr Stuart Marquardt in 2016 for the initial planning of the Sports Academy has been wonderfully supported by the key staff around him.
It is with great pleasure that we lead the Matt Fydler Sports Academy and look forward to working alongside the athletes and celebrating their future successes.
Mr Matthew Bedford and Dr Joseph Coyne
OUR VISION
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the commitment and sacrifices needed to achieve at an elite level within any given sport. Formed in Term 2, 2017, the Matt Fydler Sports Academy strives to harness the phenomenal power of sport by offering an innovative education alongside a professional sports development program thus allowing our students to reach their potential. With highly qualified coaches, proven training methodologies, professional sports Ambassadors and a motivating learning environment that brings together like-minded sporting individuals, the Matt Fydler Sports Academy will provide the ultimate foundation for our student athletes’ future success.
OUR PROGRAM
Access to a holistic program that balances academic achievement and sporting excellence.
• The right to participate in any of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy activities.
Access to strength and conditioning programs, and associated health facilities such as Physiotherapist, Dietician, Sports Performance Management.
• Counselling with mentors and other appropriate staff to advise on tertiary studies, career and sport goals, time management, overall wellbeing and pastoral support.
• Access to ‘Athlete Friendly’ services, including flexible academic timetables, e-learning support when absent, 1 on 1 tutorials with teachers when needed.
• Regular contact with mentors to remain up-to-date with student progress.
Liaison with Griffith Sports College for tertiary studies.
OUR AIMS
To expose students to industry best practice across a range of sports related fields including – Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Sports Science and Leadership.
Through our partnership with the Griffith University Sports College, the Matt Fydler Sports Academy seeks to provide a clear pathway for students to continue their academic journey. 1
2 3 4 5
To promote a “High Performance Culture” within the Academy which challenges students to achieve their very best.
To assist students to balance their sporting and academic commitments in a supportive environment.
To support students with flexible curricula that acknowledges the demands placed on them by their chosen sport.
Nicola Gee, Interschool State event in Warwick
Jesse Freier, Rugby Union 1st XV team
Lyla Williams, 2022 QLD Little Athletics State Championships in Brisbane
Matt Fydler Sports Academy - Ambassadors
Olympic rower Duncan Free OAM has shown how courage and determination can triumph. Widely regarded as the most complete rower in the large Australian Squad, Duncan has always demonstrated superb athleticism, power, technical precision and tactical smarts.
Duncan first represented Australia in 1991, when he won a silver medal at the Junior World Rowing Championships. He then went on to compete in multiple world championships and four Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal at his first in 1996 in Atlanta. After being part of the International Crew of the Year in 2007, he achieved his sporting dream by going on to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the men’s pair. During 2009, Duncan took a year off competition before preparing for the 2010 and 2011 World Championships. Unfortunately, injury prevented him from competing in his fifth Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Duncan is currently the Director of the Griffith Sports College, and is delighted to be an Ambassador for the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
MRS SHARON BUCHANAN OAM
Sharon Buchanan OAM started playing hockey at an early age, but as a junior, played most sports including tennis, swimming, basketball, softball, and gymnastics. Her hockey career began with selection in the Western Australia State Under 16 hockey team in 1975, at the age of 12. She captained the team in 1978. Sharon went on to play for Australia from 1980 to 1993 (including four Olympic teams from 1980 to 1992) playing a vital role when Australia won gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She captained the Australian team from 1989 to 1993, at a time when Australia was considered the best in the world. She played in four Champions Trophies teams between 1987 and 1993, winning two silver medals and two gold medals. Sharon was named Player of the Tournament after the 1991 victory in Berlin, earning a place in the World Team for the third time. Sharon maintains a close connection to the Australian sporting world as a member of the Olympic Athletes Advisory Committee, the Australian Sports Drug Agency and the Australia Korea Foundation.
MR JOEL PARKINSON
Joel Parkinson grew up surfing at Snapper Rocks. His formative years were spent surfing alongside childhood friend, Mick Fanning. Here, Joel developed his own style while also winning the ASP World Junior Championship. He became the youngest surfer to win a Billabong Contest at Jeffrey’s Bay, a world event. In 2004, 2009 and 2011 he was ranked Number 2. During the December 2008 Pipeline Masters thirdround heat in Hawaii, he matched Kelly Slater’s 2005 record of two perfect 10-point rides under the world tour’s two-best-waves scoring system. Parkinson went on to win the Triple Crown of Surfing for 2008 and then again in 2009 and 2010. Another career highlight was in 2012 when he was crowned the 2012 World Surfing League World Champion. A highly successful competitive surfer, Joel has won twelve world tour events including the prestigious Pipeline Masters in December 2012. Joel has featured in dozens of surf movies and featured on scores of surfing magazine covers. He is looking forward to giving something back to the local surf community through his Ambassadorship for the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
To be a great champion and achieve your dreams, you need to believe in yourself, even when others may not.
– Chris Fydler OAM
MR DUNCAN FREE OAM
Chris Fydler OAM is a former competitive swimmer, who competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics for Australia. Chris represented Australia at an international level from 1989 to 2000. During his career, he amassed over 20 national championships including five consecutive national 100-metre freestyle championships. His finest hour came at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, when he was a member of the men’s 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay team that defeated the Americans and won the gold medal in the prestigious event, alongside Michael Klim, Ian Thorpe and Ashley Callus. It was the first time in Olympic history that the US team had been beaten in that event. Previously Chris had been crowned World Champion in 1998 in the 4x100 medley relay and again in the 4x100 freestyle at the Pan Pacific swimming championships, but the Olympic victory is undoubtedly his ultimate highlight. Chris graduated from Bond University with a double degree in Commerce/Law (Honours).
He practised as a lawyer in Sydney before pursuing interests in IT. However, he has maintained a high-level connection with the international sporting world as Deputy Chef de Mission Australian Olympic Team (2012 & 2016), as well as being a member of the FINA Disciplinary Panel. Chris is excited about supporting the development of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy, and looks forward to working with a range of talented athletes.
MR BILL CHAFFEY
Bill Chaffey, competes in the PT1 (handcycle/racing wheelchair classification) and was TRI-1 Paratriathlon World Champion in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. His come-from-behind win in 2013 was named in the International Paralympic Committee’s Top 50 moments in Paralympic sport. In the same year, Bill was nominated for the IPC Athlete of the Month and won the inaugural Australian Paratriathlon Championships. He won the Men’s TRI-1 classification of the 2014 Oceania Paratriathlon Championships in a world best time and won the 2014 ITU World Paratriathlon event. In March 2013, Bill set a new TRI-1 world best time for an Olympic distance triathlon. His time bettered the previous record by 5 minutes. In May 2013, Bill qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, placing second in this event. Bill was forced to withdraw from the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series Final in Canada after breaking two bones in his pelvis after falling out of his racing wheelchair training at home just prior to the event. In January 2015, he returned from injury to win the Oceania Paratriathlon Championships PT1. Bill won his fifth world championship at the 2015 World Championships Final in Chicago and competed at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games, finishing fourth in the Men’s PT1 event. Bill brings extensive experience to the Matt Fydler Sports Academy, and is looking forward to helping the School’s talented athletes achieve their absolute best.
During her swimming career, Samantha Riley’s tremendous efforts in the pool elevated her to be indisputably one of Australia’s and the world’s greatest female swimmers. Entering swimming at the age of seven as a way of overcoming her fight with asthma, Samantha won her battle over asthma while gaining respect and admiration in the pool. While her success has already etched her name in Australian swimming history, her enthusiasm, commitment and strong desire to win means she continues to succeed. Officially retired in 2001, Samantha will be forever known as one of Australia’s greatest ever female swimmers. Samantha’s hard work and determination as a swimmer paid off. Her professional attitude and enthusiasm afforded her international success. Some of her greatest achievements include three Olympic Medals, two World Championship Gold Medals, five Commonwealth Games Medals (four Gold) and nine Pan Pacific Games Medals. Samantha also set three World and two Commonwealth Records. An active member of the speaker’s circuit, Samantha is excited to add another string to her bow through being an active Ambassador for the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
MR CHRIS FYDLER OAM
MS SAMANTHA RILEY OAM
DIRECTOR
Profiles Matthew Bedford
Sport has always been at the forefront of Matthew Bedford’s life. Some of his earliest memories revolve around playing backyard cricket and kicking the footy with his brother and father. Matthew was also selected to play in the New South Wales Schoolboys AFL Under 15s. When the chance came along to pursue his love of sport within a school environment as a Physical Education teacher and with a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies and Sports Management under his belt, it seemed like a natural progression.
Just as natural was Matthew Bedford’s collaboration with the late Matt Fydler in the instigation of the concept of a Lindisfarne Sports Academy. Always a talented sportsperson himself, Matthew brings with him some valuable and high profile local experience. Having achieved life membership after playing with the Coolangatta Tweed
AFL Club for over a decade, serving as an AFLW Development Coach, in addition to being Assistant Coach of the Gold Coast Suns AFLW team and Coach of the NSWCIS Under 15 Boys AFL team and a coach for the Coolangatta Bluebirds in the QAFLW Competition, Matthew has received accolades for his breadth of experience, his modern outlook on the game of AFL, in addition to his contemporary coaching philosophies.
Ever the team player, Matthew Bedford is aware that Lindisfarne has a wealth of experience from past students who have represented their country or state in their chosen sport, as well as students who have worked at elite sporting facilities. These students can play an important role in providing current students with the pathway to achieving at an elite level. Matthew is keen to utilise and harness the skills of these
students in order to complement the offering of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy and give them a voice in gaining an insight into what is required.
Matthew’s experience and love of sport really motivates him. He looks forward to bringing this enthusiasm to the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
Matthew is honoured to be a Director of the “Matt Fydler Lindisfarne Sports Academy”.
Joseph Coyne DIRECTOR
Dr. Joseph Coyne, PhD is a renowned global authority in the field of high-performance sport. With an extensive background spanning over 15 years, he has worked closely with a number of elite professional and Olympic athletes and has come to the school after holding the Performance Director position at the UFC Performance Institute Shanghai.
Prior to joining the UFC in 2019, Dr Coyne personally supported athletes who broke six world records and collected 15 gold medals in the Olympics and various World Championships from 2014 onwards in his roles with the Chinese Athletics Association (Physical Preparation Coach) and Chinese
Olympic Committee (Performance Manager). In addition, he has provided exclusive guidance to numerous Australian professional athletes, including notable names such as Sonny Bill Williams, Luke Keary, and Latrell Mitchell.
Alongside Joseph’s practical work, he has been invited to deliver lectures at international conferences focused on sport science, strength and conditioning, and related disciplines. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sport Science from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia and also serves as a reviewer for a number of different peer-reviewed academic journals.
His wealth of experience in coaching and international athletics is a valuable asset to the student athletes at Lindisfarne. He has played a pivotal role in establishing and driving sport excellence programs in disciplines such as rugby union and athletics at the school and contributing to the success of the Matt Fydler Sports Academy.
CHIGH PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
Carla Petty
arla is a highly qualified and experienced strength and conditioning coach with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Honours degree with a focus on sport science, ASCA Level 3 Strength and Conditioning Coach, and ESSA Exercise Physiologist certification. Over the years, she has worked with various organisations, including the New South Wales Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport,
New South Wales Police Force and several schools in Queensland and New South Wales.
Carla’s specialist areas include sports performance, long-term athlete development, mental health and wellbeing, as well as musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Her career aim is to help youth athletes achieve optimal performance and health by
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST
Abra Garfield
Abra is a performance consultant, mental coach, therapist and educator for professional and amateur athletes, performers, coaches and leaders. Abra is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and an endorsed sport psychologist with the Australian College of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
He is a wellbeing consultant for the AFL Players Association, a lead psychologist for Squash Australia and BMX QLD and a
service provider for Swimming Australia and the Queensland Academy of Sport. Abra is a guest speaker, workshop facilitator, university guest lecturer/tutor, writer, resource developer and works in private practice with individuals, teams and organisations (sport and corporate). He also provides mental and behavioural health services to adolescents, teens and adults to assist them in coping with stress and other mental health issues.
SPORTS DIETICIAN
Ali Disher
Ali is a Brisbane-based Advanced Sports Dietitian. She has a dual degree in Dietetics/Exercise Physiology, and a Master of Philosophy in sports hydration. She is also a member of the board of Sports Dietitians Australia and an Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia.
Ali is Swimming Australia's Lead Performance Nutritionist and a dietitian
for the Queensland Academy of Sport and Queensland Rugby League. She previously completed her fellowship at the Australian Institute of Sport.
She will be working with our student athletes on a one on one basis looking at pre, during and post event nutrition and hydration. Ali will also be involved in our Matt Fydler Sports Academy Education Workshops
creating a supportive performance culture committed to continuous learning and education. She has a strong background in talent identification programs and long-term athlete development, and is passionate about working with young athletes in sport. When not coaching, she enjoys indulging in her personal hobbies, which include playing and watching all kinds of sports and going to the beach and pursuing an interest in Art.
Abra draws on personal experience competing at the international level in sport for over ten years and performing live music. He recently won his second and third silver medal for Australia at the 2016 and 2018 World Ultimate Frisbee Championships in London and Cincinnati. Abra is the founder of Summit Performance Psychology and the Athlete Recovery Academy.
at various times throughout the year. We are very excited to have someone of Ali’s experience working as part of our academy team.
Elijah Lobscher, Long Jump
Harry Kershler Cricket
Aluma Lily Dick - Class of 2017. Rugby Sevens Commonwealth Games 2022, Birmingham
Lily O'Sullivan
A
member of
the class of 2022,
Lily O’Sullivan is an accomplished athlete with many years of experience and success under her belt, despite her youth.
Lilycame to Lindisfarne in 2018, through her connection with Matt Fydler, whom had encouraged her to visit the school and see how Lindisfarne could support her sporting ambitions.
Lily has a passion for Surf Life Saving since joining the under 6s at Tugun Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), before moving to Cudgen Headland and now currently at Burleigh Heads/Mowbray Park SLSC, a club with a rich tradition of training and supporting champion Surf Life Saving athletes.
Had Lily not been one of Australia’s best young surf life savers, she may have had a career in the pool, breaking and holding many school and regional swimming records. It is clear that, in and around the water, is where she thrives.
Lily’s growth in Surf Life Saving has been progressive and consistent. Nationals competition involves competing in the Board; Swim and Ironwoman, where she has achieved successive Aussie titles. In 2018 Lily won all three Under 14 divisions; in 2019 Lily attained gold in Under 15 Swim and Under 15 Board Rescue - becoming Under 15 Surf Race Champion. In 2021 Lily won the Under 17 Ski Relay and also made her debut in the 2021-2022 Nutri-Grain Iron Series.
At the 2022 World Life Saving Championships, held in Italy, Lily claimed 9 medals including 8 gold, and claimed a new Youth World Record in the 4 x 25m Manikin Carry Relay. A remarkable achievement.
In the 2022-2023 Nutri-Grain Iron Series Lily finished in 8th position, an exceptional result given her age. This result gains her automatic qualification into the series the following season. Lily broke through for her first open event win by sprinting home to cross the line first in the Murphy Homes Maroochy classic in January 2023.
She is a firm believer that consistency is the key to success and her consistent success is testament to her mental and physical toughness, and determination. Lily’s approach is to focus on the process and not the outcome. She knows where she needs to go and what she needs to do to get there.
With such a resilient mindset and the perseverance to maintain such a heightened level of physical fitness Lily is sure to continue her extraordinary record of success in competition and be a positive role model to other athletes who aspire to succeed in their respective sports.
Alumna Lily O'Sullivan, 2022 Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series, Gold Coast.
Elite Athlete Profile
Pictured (l-R): Zac Incerti, Flynn Southam, Elijah Winnington. 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingahm 4 x 200m Men's Freestyle Relay.
Photo credit : Delly Carr
FlynnSoutham
We were privileged to have in attendance at our school some very accomplished young athletes. Flynn Southam, class of 2022, was undoubtedly one of these.
Flynn is also a part of the prestigious Bond University Swimming program and has Olympic aspirations.
He has established himself as a top seeded swimmer, eclipsing the records of swimming greats such as Ian Thorpe and Cameron McEvoy. Ian Thorpe’s Queensland All Comers record for 16 year olds was established in 1999 at a time of 49.98 and the Queensland Age Record had previously been held by Cameron McEvoy as 49.70 in 2011. Flynn’s split 24.08/25.34 clocked 49.42 and he set himself up as the new Queensland Age Record holder for a freestyle sprint.
The significance of Flynn’s performance is not to be underestimated. The All Comers Age record represents the fastest time ever on Queensland soil while the overall Queensland Age Record represents the fastest time established by a Queenslander anywhere in the world.
He is an outstanding young athlete who has already received innumerable accolades, including winning five individual Gold Medals at the Australian Age Championships; breaking multiple Australian records in Long and Short Course 100 freestyle events; holding Queensland records in 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and making the Junior World Championship Team. Flynn’s expertise extends to backstroke and butterfly as well as freestyle sprinting.
At the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Championships he won gold medals in the 50 metre freestyle, 100 metre freestyle, and 200 metre freestyle. He also won a silver medal in the 4x100 metre freestyle relay.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games he won gold medals in the 4x100 metre freestyle relay, 4x200 metre freestyle relay and 4x100 metre mixed freestyle relay.
In 2023 Flynn became a World Champion as part of the 4x100m freestyle team that won at the World Aquatics Championships, Fukuoka 2023.
Flynn Southam’s perseverance and focus on honing his skills in the pool have paid off in a number of demonstrations of his efficient style and powerful finish. The journey ahead for Flynn looks promising as he draws on his own disciplined approach and has a team of experts around him determined to direct Flynns’ pathway of improvement, learning and performance.
To say that Flynn Southam has ‘potential’ is an understatement and as a swimmer he has a great deal to teach our Lindisfarne students aspiring to swimming success as well. Already Flynn has undertaken to ‘give back’ to the community of which he is a part by running two development training sessions for our talented Lindisfarne swimmers.
