Esteemed coach to head Victorian academy
17 September 2019
An initiative of respected coach and mentor Peter Giles, the Academy of Baseball Excellence has recently been formally established and will commence early in 2020 from its home base of Boeing Reserve in Strathmore Heights, Victoria.
The Academy - which is independent of state and national governing bodies - will prepare young Australian baseball players (aged 16-19) for entry into the United States college system, through provision of skill development training sessions and regular overseas tours under the “Southern Stars” banner.
In addressing both an athletic and academic approach with participants and their families, the Academy of Baseball Excellence will provide young baseball players with opportunities to improve their skills – both in the classroom and on the field – while helping them secure placement into appropriate levels of college.
The Academy of Baseball Excellence is the brainchild of Melbourne baseball identity Peter Giles, who will assume a day-to-day role in the programme as its Head Coach.
“Importantly,” said its founder, “the Academy will provide a realistic foresight into college life - not unrealistic or inflated ideas about skill levels or academic requirements once they get to college.”
“A secondary goal of the Academy will be to help young players achieve their optimum performance capabilities, irrespective of their ultimate baseball destination," Giles said.
An experienced teacher and esteemed mentor of young baseball players, Peter Giles is uniquely placed to manage the Academy – in large part because of his exceptional knowledge of the athletic and academic requirements of United States colleges.
Coach Giles is widely revered for his success as Head Coach of Essendon Baseball Club, a position he relinquished at the end of the 2018/19 Baseball Victoria Summer League season in order to focus on taking the Academy from concept to reality.
During his tenure as Essendon Baseball Club Coach, Giles oversaw an era of unprecedented senior success – steering the club to six successive Division One titles, an extraordinary and unparalleled achievement in Victorian baseball.
He received the Baseball Victoria Coach of the Year Award in 2014/15.
Well known and respected for his tireless work with schools baseball, Peter Giles spent thirteen years as Victorian Team Manager for the National Schoolboys Championship and eight years as Manager of the Australian Schools team – including four tours of United States.
He remains the current Australian Schools Head Coach.
Already with an exceptional baseball network, Coach Peter Giles will enlist qualified, proven personnel to provide additional specialised coaching on a sessional basis for the Academy of Baseball Excellence.
For all enquiries regarding the Academy and/or the Southern Stars touring team, please contact Coach Giles on 0415 283 806 or by email at baseballpete60@hotmail.com
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