A proud history of Sporting Excellence
Fairholme’s tradition of sporting excellence has shaped Olympians and world-class athletes, including Tatum Stewart, Dom Du Toit, Emilee Cherry, Demi Hayes, Cathy Freeman, Georgia Voll, Gemma Etheridge and Dannielle Leisch.
Now it’s your turn. At Fairholme, you'll step into an environment that nurtures champions both in competition and in the classroom, where athletic potential is unlocked and balanced with academic success.
Fairholme High Performance Sport Program
Through our Fairholme College High Performance Sport Program, student-athletes gain access to elite coaching, specialised support, and tailored resources designed to help young athletes achieve their sporting goals while thriving academically.
In 2026, the program will continue to grow, offering a range of opportunities designed to support excellence across multiple sports.
2026 High Performance Sport Program
Students as part of the 2026 Program will be offered:
Co-ordinator of
High Performance Coaching
Meet Mr Mitch Koina
Fairholme’s Co-ordinator of High Performance Coaching, Mr Mitch Koina, brings a wealth of experience in sport, education and pastoral care to Fairholme’s High Performance Program.
Along with more than twelve years' experience across a diverse range of educational settings, Mitch holds a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach qualification with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association, Certificate III & IV in Fitness, Certificate IV in Training and Assessing, and studied a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a dual major in Health and Physical Education and History.
Passionate about supporting young women to thrive, Mitch is dedicated to fostering both excellence and enjoyment in sport. His approach centres on the connection between wellbeing and performance, encouraging students to develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging both on and off the field. He is committed to building high participation within the program while supporting athletes at every level to work hard and achieve their personal best.
‘We’re not all Australian representatives, but if girls are working really hard and achieving to the best of their potential, whatever level that may be in the sporting arena, I think that’s a program we can be very proud of.’
High Performance Program Selection Criteria
Entry into the Fairholme High Performance Sport Program is offered annually to student athletes in Years 8 to 12 who demonstrate excellence in their chosen sport/s.
Eligible athletes will have:
> Represented at Regional, State or National level in School Sport (2024/2025), or
> Played sport at a semi-professional or professional level
Student Athlete Empowerment Project
At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland — helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.
Through UniSQ’s 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project, students are equipped with tailored strategies and practical tools to support their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.
As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes have the opportunity to take part in the specialised ‘Girls 2 Win’ and ‘Mind 2 Win’ programs.
The John Sessarago
Sporting Scholarships 2028
The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarship is available for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2028.
Candidates must be competing at (or progressing towards) State, National or the highest possible level in at least one sporting activity (team or individual) that is offered in the Fairholme College sports program.
Applications for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2028 will open in late 2026.
