The Co-Curricular Program that Launched a Dream
Renelda joined Southern Cross Grammar in 2015 as a Foundation student. From an early age, she embraced every opportunity to get involved, competing in House sporting events, earning swimming ribbons and awards, and celebrating team successes with her peers.
“SCG has nurtured my love for sport over the years through those small moments where we [were] recognised,” Renelda said. “I have a lot of memories where I look back and I still remember those achievements like getting the group championships, swimming, athletics, all the ribbons… everything. It all adds up and motivates you to keep going.”
- Renelda with her peers at the Year 7 Camp
While Renelda’s early sports achievements helped build her confidence, it was during secondary school that her sporting ambitions at SCG truly soared.
In 2024, the school introduced the SCG Active program. The program provides students with opportunities to be physically active, train, compete, and challenge themselves through a range of sports supported by specialist facilities and experienced coaches.
For Renelda, the program became a turning point.
“Participating in SCG Active in 2024 and 2025 was the big leap that our team needed to succeed in Futsal,” she said.
“We were training every week, sometimes twice a week as a team together after school.”
Under the guidance of former Head of Middle School, Mr Galea, the team enjoyed significant success, qualifying for the Australasian Championships in Brisbane in 2024.
It was there that Renelda and two other female students from Southern Cross Grammar were selected for the All Stars team, earning the opportunity to represent Australia in Spain. In all, six Southern Cross Grammar students were chosen across the girls’ and boys’ teams.
Representing Australia on the World Stage
Eight years after discovering her passion for soccer and futsal, Renelda was selected to represent Australia in its Under 16 Girls Team at the prestigious V Sport Futsal Competition in Spain.
Wearing the green and gold on the international stage was a moment Renelda will never forget.
“It has been a journey representing Southern Cross Grammar, Victoria, and Australia on the international stage,” Renelda said.
“Competing in Spain taught me resilience and strength, and commitment. We met new [team] players from around Australia, and had to learn how to play together in less than a week. Being in a new environment was challenging, and we had to get straight into it, training twice a day.”
When reflecting on the experience Renelda’s parents, Irena and Eduart said, “Watching Renelda wear the Australian jersey and compete in Spain was something we will never forget. Knowing she was also representing SCG and Victoria made it even more special.
“It was a wonderful reflection of what can be achieved when talent, determination, family support, and school support come together.”
The competition was fiercely contested, with the Under 16s Girls Team progressing all the way to the Grand Final. They were narrowly defeated 2-0 by a local Spanish academy team.
Looking to the Future: Supporting Athletes’ Peak Performance
Competing at the 2025 Australasian Futsal Tournament
Now in Year 11, Renelda is focused on her next challenge.
Alongside her sporting commitments, she hopes to pursue a career in sports physiotherapy, combining her love of sport with a desire to help athletes perform at their best. To support this goal, she is studying Health and Human Development, Physical Education (PE), and Biology.
“I want to be sports physiotherapist, so I plan on continuing to play soccer for as long as I can and staying in the sports industry,” she said.
“Health and Human Development, PE, and Biology have helped me understand how the human body works and also helped me develop a better perspective when I’m training.”
Renelda is also giving back to our school community, coaching the next generation of emerging athletes and refereeing games at school competitions. She said, “Southern Cross Grammar has shaped who I am today because we’re a very close and tight community. Watching the school grow from such a small group of students to being as big as it is now with all our beautiful buildings has been incredible.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities [SCG] has given me such as providing me with opportunities to coach the younger students or referee. It means a lot and helps me give back to the school.”
For Irena and Eduart, the opportunities and experiences Renelda has had are exactly what they hoped she would find when they first enrolled her at Southern Cross Grammar more than a decade ago.
“When we were looking for a school for Renelda, we wanted a place that would provide strong academic foundations while also nurturing character, values, and a sense of community,” they said.
“SCG stood out because it felt like a school where every child mattered. The smaller school environment, family atmosphere, and commitment to developing the whole child gave us confidence that Renelda would be supported not only academically but personally as well.
“Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made as a family.”
Renelda’s advice to students who want to represent the school at a national and international level is to be brave and step forward.
“Definitely put yourself out there,” she said.
“Don’t hide or be afraid because these opportunities come eventually.”
Looking to the Future: Supporting Athletes’ Peak Performance
Now in Year 11, Renelda is focused on her next challenge.
Alongside her sporting commitments, she hopes to pursue a career in sports physiotherapy, combining her love of sport with a desire to help athletes perform at their best. To support this goal, she is studying Health and Human Development, Physical Education (PE), and Biology.
“I want to be sports physiotherapist, so I plan on continuing to play soccer for as long as I can and staying in the sports industry,” she said.
“Health and Human Development, PE, and Biology have helped me understand how the human body works and also helped me develop a better perspective when I’m training.”
Renelda and her Futsal team mates at the 2025 Australasian Futsal Tournament
Renelda is also giving back to our school community, coaching the next generation of emerging athletes and refereeing games at school competitions. She said, “Southern Cross Grammar has shaped who I am today because we’re a very close and tight community. Watching the school grow from such a small group of students to being as big as it is now with all our beautiful buildings has been incredible.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities [SCG] has given me such as providing me with opportunities to coach the younger students or referee. It means a lot and helps me give back to the school.”
For Irena and Eduart, the opportunities and experiences Renelda has had are exactly what they hoped she would find when they first enrolled her at Southern Cross Grammar more than a decade ago.
“When we were looking for a school for Renelda, we wanted a place that would provide strong academic foundations while also nurturing character, values, and a sense of community,” they said.
“SCG stood out because it felt like a school where every child mattered. The smaller school environment, family atmosphere, and commitment to developing the whole child gave us confidence that Renelda would be supported not only academically but personally as well.
“Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made as a family.”
Renelda’s advice to students who want to represent the school at a national and international level is to be brave and step forward.
“Definitely put yourself out there,” she said.
“Don’t hide or be afraid because these opportunities come eventually.”
