Tucked away on a dedicated matted training floor in Melbourne's inner west, the Maribyrnong Sports Academy (MSA) Taekwondo Program has quietly become one of the most productive elite school-based taekwondo programs in the country.
It has produced two Olympians, a World Championships medallist and more than 15 national team members across Cadet, Junior and Senior levels. All of it while its athletes complete their schooling on the same campus where they train.
"The MSA Taekwondo Program has established itself as one of the Academy's most successful sporting programs," said MSA Director Mark McCallion. "Despite its relatively small size, it has produced outstanding results on the international stage, including Olympians Reba Stewart and Leon Sejranovic, whose achievements reflect the strength of the program's performance environment."
The program's honour roll speaks for itself. MSA alumni Reba Stewart and Leon Sejranovic have both gone on to compete at the Olympic Games. Chloe Spencer won bronze at the 2025 World Championships, Bianca Pavia claimed gold at the Under-21 World Championships Selection Event (had to withdraw from the World Championships through injury), and more than 15 athletes have been selected in Australian teams across Cadet, Junior and Senior divisions.
Current Australian Coach Ryan Carneli led the program to where it is today as Head Coach from 2015 to 2022, before Will Afonczenko took the reins in 2023. Assistant coaches Taye Ragheb and Jamie Cefai are both former MSA students and national team members, now passing on what they learned to the next generation.
MSA is designed to complement, not replace, the training athletes receive at their clubs. Working alongside club coaches, it adds high-performance sessions that bridge the gap between junior and senior competition, preparing athletes for the Australian Taekwondo pathway and events such as the Oceania Championships and the World Cadet, Junior and Senior Championships.
Sessions cover kicking technique, movement, defence, counter-attacking, competition awareness and match management. Athletes train on KP&P and Adidas electronic body protector systems, the same scoring technology used at major competitions, in a dedicated taekwondo room on the MSA campus.
"MSA Taekwondo is a real game changer for Taekwondo athletes in Australia, and the results speak for themselves," said Head Coach Will Afonczenko.
"Our students don't just improve in sport, they also do well in the classroom. At MSA, we use a holistic approach to athlete development, with a team of Taekwondo coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and dietitians all working together to support each student-athlete."
"Our students really thrive at MSA being surrounded by like-minded athletes who push and inspire each other every day to become better versions of themselves."
McCallion agreed the model is what sets MSA apart. "By combining elite coaching, specialised support services, and a unique model that integrates sport and education on a single campus, MSA enables student-athletes to pursue excellence both academically and athletically."
For the program's current crop of internationals, the combination of extra training and academic flexibility has been decisive.
Chloe Spencer, a Fighting Futures athlete and 2025 World Championships bronze medallist, credits MSA's additional sessions and strength and conditioning work. "MSA has helped me in my taekwondo career by giving me extra training and strength and conditioning. It has made me stronger, faster and more confident, helping me compete at high level competitions. This also has helped me qualify for worlds and win a bronze medal."
Bianca Pavia, also a Fighting Futures member and gold medallist at the Under-21 World Championships Selection, said the program gave her room to chase both goals at once. "The school program has played such an important role in my Taekwondo journey, giving me the support and flexibility to pursue my dreams while continuing my education. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has given me and for reminding me that with the right support, dedication and belief in yourself, there's no limit to what you can achieve."
Afonczenko hopes MSA's success can help grow taekwondo well beyond Victoria.
"I would love for the sport of Taekwondo to grow and gain more traction across all states. If we could mimic even a small portion of the famous Korean Taekwondo School System, I believe the next generation of Australia's athletes can make an even bigger impact on the world stage and hopefully win some Olympic medals."
"If you're serious about taking your Taekwondo to the next level, MSA Taekwondo is definitely the place to do it."
