Gaze Launches Victorian Basketball Academy

Students at Melbourne's new Albert Park College will have access to a Victorian-first basketball academy run by sporting legend Andrew Gaze when it opens next year.

Victorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike joined five-time Olympian Gaze, at the $23.6 million Albert Park College to announce details of the new academy.

Minister Pike said it was a major coup for local secondary students to have a champion sportsman spearheading a unique basketball academy, stating "I'm thrilled that Mr Gaze will return to his old school to run the new academy, which will benefit students at the school and other children in the community.

"Students keen on playing basketball at an elite level are going to progress in leaps and bounds with his tuition at Albert Park College.

"The school has a long-term enrolment of up to 950 kids, and Iâm sure children with an interest in basketball will come from right across Victoria to study and train here."

Gaze said he jumped at the opportunity to run the basketball academy and continue promoting the game he loved, adding "it will allow me to give something back to my old school, even though itâs now a brilliant new facility which the people of Albert Park will love."

Principal Steve Cook said the basketball academy would be part of the schoolâs commitment to providing the best education and sporting opportunities for students.

More than 150 students will study Year 7 at Albert Park College next year.