Pathways for Elite Athletes at Knox (PEAK)
Our PEAK program has been designed to support and assist high performing student-athletes considering a career in elite sport to achieve excellence in their chosen sport, while achieving their best academically.
BENEFITS
Students who are part of the PEAK Program are supported through initiatives including:
- Individual mentoring – personalised one-on-one mentoring by Knox high performance coaches with international and elite domestic level playing and coaching experience.
- Specialised support – including the development of Individual Performance Plan (IPP) tailored to the student’s individual needs and the demands of their sport. This includes support with goal-setting, external program and pathway benchmarking and support with overall wellbeing.
- Keynote speakers – Subject matter experts will speak to students a number of times each term on topics including academic, physical, personal development and social-emotional wellbeing
- Workshops – regular small-group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications for the PEAK program are open to students currently attending or planning to attend the School, who have demonstrated potential for a career in professional sport, representation Australia at the Commonwealth, Olympic or Paralympic Games or a sport scholarship at a tertiary institution (both domestic and international.)
To be eligible for PEAK, students need to have been selected in state teams or won state championships in higher-participation sports (Tier 1) or been selected in national teams or medalled at national championships for lower participation sports (Tier 2). Places are strictly limited, with applications twice a year. All applications are assessed against specific eligibility criteria.
Click here for further information about PEAKPlease direct enquiries to peak@knox.nsw.edu.au
Meet our student athletes
Tom (Class of 2028)
Tom, Basketball (Class of 2028)
How did you first get involved in basketball and what do you love about the sport?
I first started getting involved in U10s when I joined a local club team. I was then encouraged to trial for a representative team by a family friend and coach. My journey took off from there. I love the competitiveness and fast-paced speed of the game combined with the technical skills.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
My best sporting achievement has been being selected to go to the U14 Australian Club Nationals two years in a row with the Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders Basketball Association.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
I aim to play Division 1 NCAA basketball and be selected for an U19 Australian Squad.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
The PEAK program has taught me about the importance of being known as more than just a basketball player and I have learned how to effectively recover from heavy competition with correct food, hydration, and sleep.
Archie (Class of 2028)
Archie, Cricket (Class of 2028)
How did you first get involved in your sport and what do you love about sport?
I first got involved with my sport when I first came to Australia at around six years old. My first memory of my sport was getting a new cricket set from my great Grandma for my birthday. I love my sport and being able to play with friends each weekend, and being surrounded by the best coaches in Australia.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
Getting a silver medal at the Year 6 Cricket National Championships and gold medals at Cross Country Nationals.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
I hope to play cricket for my state and country one day and hopefully have a long sporting career.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
The PEAK program has helped me know how to best prepare for games including the mental side and pre-competition nutrition in the days and hours before games to help me compete at the best level I can. I have also benefited from having a special mentor who can help me with my timetable and how to do school around my sports as well.
Ethan (Class of 2027)
Ethan, Football (Class of 2027)
How did you first get involved in football and what do you love about the sport?
I started playing football at the age of three after my father introduced me to the sport, and ever since then, the ball has never left my feet. The nature of teamwork, my capabilities to climb up the sporting ladder, and the amount of fun I have playing and seeing myself improve have made the sport impossible not to love.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
To date, my best sporting achievement in football was being selected to represent NSW at the National Youth Championships in 2024. Another great achievement has been making it to the NPL1 NSW Grand Final with APIA Leichhardt's Under 15s.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
Making the Joey's Under 17s squad and representing Australia in the 2030 World Cup.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
The PEAK program at Knox has taught me many things that I have been able to utilise to improve in my sport. The biggest learnings that have contributed massively to my sport are the nutrition unit and spiritual fitness. These units have taught me important pieces of information, whereby I've been able to gain the extra 1% in my sport, but also has made me a better well-rounded individual.
Lukas (Class of 2027)
Lukas, Swimming (Class of 2027)
How did you first get involved in swimming and what do you love about the sport?
Both my parents were Olympic swimmers - Dad for Australia and Mum for Iceland. I was introduced to swimming early in my life and have always loved the way I can disconnect from my life and focus on swimming.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
In September 2024, I broke an Australian Short Course record in the 50m Freestyle.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
My ambition is to set a name for myself outside of the legacy my dad has already created and possibly compete at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and more importantly Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
The biggest learning from the PEAK program has been how to manage my very busy school and life schedule productively so that I can get the best out of each aspect of my life.
Miles (Class of 2026)
Miles, Tennis (Class of 2026)
How did you first get involved in your sport and what do you love about sport?
I first got involved in tennis when I was four through my older brother as he played a lot and inspired me to pick up the racquet.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
My best sporting achievement is making it to the quarterfinals of a J4 International Tennis Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, where I lost in a second set tiebreaker to the number 2 seed.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
My career ambition with my sport is probably to make it a Division 1 NCAA College in the USA.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
My biggest learning from the PEAK program is how to perform under pressure as the topic is very relevant to tennis. It has helped me develop strategies to clear my mind when I play so I can stay composed and focused during a match.
Jim (Class of 2025)
Jim, AFL (Class of 2025)
How did you first get involved in your sport and what do you love about sport?
I first started playing when I was 12 years old and I enjoy the physicality and everything about it.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
I made the U17 NSW/ACT AFL Futures Team.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
I would be grateful to have the opportunity to play professional AFL.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
My biggest learnings have been about sleep optimisation, nutrition and the spiritual and social-emotional fitness topics that are not related directly to the sport and help holistically.
Tom (Class of 2025)
Tom, Rugby (Class of 2025)
How did you first get involved in your sport and what do you love about sport?
I got involved in rugby at a young age, encouraged by my parents who thought I'd enjoy it, especially since many of my friends were already playing. To my surprise, I absolutely loved it. I’m drawn to the camaraderie of playing with my mates, as well as the physicality, contact, and the technical skill the game demands.
What has been your best sporting achievement to date?
My best achievement so far was being selected for the Australian Schools U18 Team earlier this year, where I had the incredible opportunity to compete in Fiji.
What is your career ambition with your sport?
My ultimate goal is to represent Australia.
What has been your biggest learning from the PEAK program?
The PEAK program taught me a lot, but what really stood out was time management. The program supported me in balancing my sport and academics, helping me stay on track to reach my goals. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.