Category: Featured English

33 Medals for the Deree Swim Academy at the “Southern Greece Winter Championship for Boys-Girls” at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens!

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

The Deree Swim Academy participated with 49 athletes in the “Southern Greece Winter Championship for Boys – Girls” held on February 14-16 at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens.

The D.C.A.C. once again stood out, excelling in all categories. With successful performances, the Deree Swim Academy secured the 2nd place in the Girls, Youth, and Boys-Girls categories, winning a total of 33 medals.

Congratulations to all the athletes! 

Gold Medals (2):

  • Lora Ferra (2) – 50m and 100m Freestyle Youth

Silver Medals (18):

  • Konstantinos Geramanis (2) – 400m and 800m Freestyle Juniors
  • Marios Vlachakis (2) – 100m and 200m Butterfly Boys
  • Angelos Zografakis (2) – 100m and 200m Butterfly Juniors
  • Danae Petropoulou (2) – 50m and 100m Breaststroke
  • Lora Ferra – 200m Freestyle Youth
  • Marilia Darzenta – 1500m Freestyle Youth
  • Doreta Zarbouti – 100m Breaststroke Youth
  • Anastasis Birkos – 50m Backstroke Boys
  • 4×100 Medley Mixed Boys-Girls (Anastasis Birkos, Danae Petropoulou, Marios Vlachakis, Silia Xira)
  • 4×100 Freestyle Youth (Lora Ferra, Maria Exarchou, Marilia Darzenta, Doreta Zarbouti)
  • 4×100 Freestyle Mixed Boys-Girls (Marios Vlachakis, Anastasis Birkos, Foteini Angelidi, Silia Xira)
  • 4×100 Freestyle Mixed Juniors-Youth (Angelos Zografakis, Konstantinos Geramanis, Maria Exarchou, Lora Ferra)
  • 4×200 Freestyle Youth (Marilia Darzenta, Maria Exarchou, Doreta Zarbouti, Lora Ferra)
  • 4×100 Medley Youth (Christina Kakampoura, Areti Zarbouti, Maria Exarchou, Lora Ferra)

Bronze Medals (13):

  • David Merai (2) – 100m and 200m Breaststroke Boys
  • Silia Xira (2) – 1500m and 400m Freestyle Girls
  • Konstantinos Geramanis – 200m Freestyle Juniors
  • Marios Vlachakis – 400m Medley Boys
  • Marilia Darzenta – 400m Freestyle Youth
  • Areti Zarbouti – 200m Breaststroke Youth
  • Christina Kakampoura – 100m Backstroke Youth
  • Maria Gaitanidi – 200m Breaststroke Girls
  • 4×200 Freestyle Juniors (Angelos Zografakis, Aris Spyropoulos, Angelos Skouras, Konstantinos Geramanis)
  • 4×200 Freestyle Girls (Silia Xira, Anny Stavrianou, Melina Kalogeropoulou, Foteini Angelidi)
  • 4×100 Medley Girls (Anny Stavrianou, Danae Petropoulou, Silia Xira, Foteini Angelidi)

The team was accompanied by the DSWA Head Coach Mr. Antonis Antoniou and their coaches Mr. Vasilis Demetis and Mr. Ioannis Syrbopoulos.

Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp – registration is now open!

Posted on by tpriskomatis

Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp with Rick Boyages!

Elevate Your Game – Train, Play & Shine the US Way!

Join us for an unforgettable 4-day basketball training experience at the Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp, featuring renowned coach Rick Boyages! Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, gain valuable game experience, or simply have fun over the holiday break, this camp is designed for boys and girls aged 8-18.

Camp Dates & Schedule

April 22-25, 2025 (Tuesday – Friday)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Deree – The American College of Greece

Who Can Join?

✔ Boys & Girls, ages 8-18

✔ All skill levels welcome – from beginners to advanced players!

Camp Highlights

✅ Expert Coaching led by Rick Boyages and our experienced team of 10 coaches
✅ Specialized Training for three age groups: 8-11, 12-15, and 16-18
✅ Skills & Fundamentals – shooting, ball-handling, passing, offense & defense
✅ Daily Competitions – 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games
✅ Cutting-Edge Training Technology – featuring the Dr. Dish CT+ shooting machine
✅ Clinic Demonstrations & Workshops – learn from the best!
✅ T-shirts, Snacks & Juices included for all participants

What You’ll Learn

Offensive Mastery: Ball-handling, passing, shooting, moving without the ball, screening, and more!
Defensive Skills: Footwork, denying passes, rebounding, team defense strategies
Game Play & Strategy: Improve your decision-making, teamwork, and court awareness

Breaks & Extras

⚡ 30-minute lunch break (light meal provided)
Daily coaching talks & motivational speeches
Interactive skill-building drills & competitions

Limited Spots Available – Register Now!

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

To participate in the Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp, please follow the registration instructions below according to your status as a new or existing member of the Deree College Athletic Club.

* Registration deadline: Holy Thursday, April 17, at 12:00 PM. *

A) NEW Members

  1. Online Registration
    • For new user registration, complete the registration form here (Category select: DEREE SPORTS ACADEMY).
  2. Receiving login credentials for your user account
    • Immediately after submitting your registration form, you will receive your account login credentials (Username & Password) via email at the email address you provided.
  3. DBA 2025 Easter Camp Subscription Purchase
    • Log in to your profile using the credentials sent to your email.
    • Select Profile → Buy membership → Add to cart the DBA 2025 Easter Camp
    • Click Payment → Complete Payment → enter your credit/debit card details, and proceed with the transaction.
  4. Completion of the registration process
    • Your spot is confirmed only after the participation fee has been paid in full.

* Medical Certificates
To participate in the DBA 2025 Easter Camp, you must submit a recent (within the last 3 months) medical certificate (download here) or present a valid athlete’s health card.

B) EXISTING Members

  1. DBA 2025 Easter Camp Subscription Purchase
    • Log in to your profile.
    • Select Profile → Buy membership → Add to cart the DBA 2025 Easter Camp membership.
    • Click Payment → Complete Payment → enter your credit/debit card details, and proceed with the transaction.
  2. Completion of the registration process
    • Your spot is confirmed only after the participation fee has been paid in full.

For any information or clarification, please contact the Deree Basketball Academy Secretariat at +30 210-6009800 (ext. 1157), Monday to Friday, 09:00-21:00.

For more information, visit www.dcac.gr or take a virtual tour of our facilities here.

Come train with top coaches, play the US way, and take your game to the next level at the DBA 2025 Easter Camp!

Rick Boyages – Keynote Coach, Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp

Rick Boyages is a distinguished figure in American collegiate basketball, bringing nearly four decades of experience as a coach, administrator, and consultant. Born in Wakefield, Massachusetts, he began his basketball journey at Bowdoin College, where he captained the team and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art in 1985. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Education from Boston University.

Boyages commenced his coaching career at Bates College in 1987, becoming the nation’s youngest collegiate head coach at age 24. He later served as an assistant coach at Boston College and Ohio State University, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run with Ohio State in 1999. From 2000 to 2003, he was the head coach at William & Mary, leading the team in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Transitioning into administrative roles, Boyages joined the Mid-American Conference as Associate Commissioner in 2005. He then dedicated 12 years to the Big Ten Conference as Vice President for Men’s Basketball, overseeing event management, game operations, and officiating. Through his extensive career, he has developed a vast network and deep understanding of the inner workings of U.S. collegiate basketball, making him a key figure in talent evaluation, program development, and NCAA operations.

In 2024, he embraced academia as a Professor of Practice in Health, Exercise, and Sport Studies at Denison University, sharing his extensive knowledge with the next generation of sports professionals.

In April 2025, Rick Boyages will serve as the keynote coach for the Deree Basketball Academy 2025 Easter Camp in Athens, Greece, offering young athletes the opportunity to learn from his wealth of experience and connections in American collegiate basketball.

1 Trophy and 22 Medals for the Deree Swim Academy at the “Southern Greece Winter Championship for Boys & Girls A’ and B’” at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens!

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

The Deree Swim Academy participated with 27 athletes in the Winter Championship of Southern Greece for Boys & Girls A’ and B’, held at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens on February 7-9, and won 22 medals and 1 trophy in the Boys B’ category.

Congratulations to all athletes, as well as to their coaches Antonis Antoniou, Vasilis Demetis, and Giannis Syrbopoulos.

Gold Medals (4)

  • Natassa Painesi (2): 200m Breaststroke, 200m IM Girls A’
  • Konstantinos Emmanouil (1): 100m Backstroke Boys B’
  • 4×100 Medley Relay Boys B’ (1): (Konstantinos Emmanouil, Stavros Alivizatos, Nestor Giannoulis, Thanasis Minogiannis)

Silver Medals (7)

  • Konstantinos Emmanouil: 200m Backstroke Boys B’
  • Filio Mantzara: 200m Backstroke Girls B’
  • Renia Stavrianou: 400m Freestyle Girls B’
  • Vitalios Albanis: 400m IM Boys A’
  • Nestor Giannoulis: 100m Butterfly Boys B’
  • 4×100 Medley Relay Girls A’ (Kali Chalvantzi, Natassa Painesi, Angeliki Perdikari, Elena Kanari)
  • 4×100 Freestyle Relay Girls B’ (Filio Mantzara, Alexandra Angelidi, Ioanna Kostagiola, Renia Stavrianou)

Bronze Medals (11)

  • Filio Mantzara (2): 400m IM, 400m Freestyle Girls B’
  • Renia Stavrianou (2): 800m, 1500m Freestyle Girls B’
  • Konstantinos Emmanouil: 50m Backstroke Boys B’
  • Vitalios Albanis: 200m IM Boys A’
  • Nestor Giannoulis: 50m Butterfly Boys B’
  • Elena Kanari: 400m IM Girls B’
  • Thanasis Theodoulidis: 200m Breaststroke Boys A’
  • 4×100 Freestyle Relay Girls A’ (Elena Kanari, Vasiliki Geramani, Kali Chalvantzi, Natassa Painesi)
  • 4×200 Freestyle Relay Girls B’ (Renia Stavrianou, Alexandra Angelidi, Patricia Sokolaki, Filio Mantzara)

Eight new, eco-friendly water fountains in our athletic facilities!

Posted on by tpriskomatis

Hydration meets sustainability! We’re thrilled to unveil eight new eco-friendly water fountains at our Aghia Paraskevi campus. 

In the context of the “Griffins Green Deree Athletics” project and in our effort to support ACG’s goal of promoting sustainability on campus and beyond, we’re proud to announce the installation of eight eco-friendly water fountains across the athletic facilities at our Aghia Paraskevi campus. The placement of these fountains has already begun and will be completed over the next several weeks. These state-of-the-art fountains, like the one pictured below, represent a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

 Where to find the new fountains: 

  • Office of Athletics & Recreation 
  • Deree Gym / A. Christopher Court 
  • Deree Fitness Center 
  • Deree Tennis Courts 
  • ACG Soccer & Track Complex 
  • ACG Swimming Pool 
  • Pierce Indoor Gym – 1 
  • Pierce Indoor Gym – 2 

 

Benefits of the new fountains: 

  • Reduce single-use plastic waste by encouraging reusable water bottles. 
  • Promote healthy hydration habits for students, staff, and visitors. 
  • Support our sustainability goals by saving resources and reducing waste. 

 

A special thanks to our donors: 

This initiative would not have been possible without the generous contributions of: 

  • Deree College Athletic Club, which donated six fountains. 
  • ACG Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs, which donated two fountains. 

Your support is helping us create a greener, healthier campus for all! 

Take action: 

We invite the ACG community to embrace this initiative by exploring the new fountains as they are installed and making the switch to reusable bottles. Together, let’s lead the way in sustainable living! 

Let’s make every drop count for a better tomorrow! 

DCAC 2025 Pita Cutting Ceremony

Posted on by tpriskomatis

The annual DCAC Pita Cutting Ceremony took place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Deree Gym, bringing together more than 1,200 athletes, parents, and friends in a festive atmosphere.

The event was honored by the presence of Guest of Honor, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Nasos Ghavelas, who shared words of inspiration and encouragement, delivering a message of strength and determination and received an honorary award.

Vasiliki Konstantinopoulou, winner of the 2022 Athens Classic Marathon, joined the event remotely, delivering a heartfelt message.

Their presence perfectly embodied the event’s central theme: “The decision is always ours – will we focus on the difficulties or the goal?”

This year’s ceremony coincided with the 150th anniversary of the American College of Greece (ACG), celebrating its resilience and progress over the years

Special recognition was given to the DCAC athletes who excelled in 2024, honoring their dedication and achievements. Additionally, all children in the program received a participation certificate and medal, emphasizing the great importance of participation itself, not just distinction.

Additionally, the event highlighted major infrastructure upgrades and sustainability initiatives completed in 2024, reaffirming ACG’s commitment to athletic excellence and environmental responsibility through the “Griffins Green Deree Athletics” program.

The evening concluded with a prize draw, where lucky winners received special gifts – generously donated by iStorm and Kotsovolos, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

The DCAC Pita Cutting 2025 was a resounding success, celebrating dedication, perseverance, and the strength of the community.

Great performances and personal bests for the Deree Swim Academy at the “A.O. Oceanos” Swim Meet at Olympic Center of Athens!

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

On January 17-19, the Deree Swim Academy participated with a great success in the “A.O. Oceanos” Swim Meet at Olympic Center of Athens, with a total of 60 athletes, who achieved many personal records.

The DCAC won a total of 26 medals, as follows: 

Gold (6):

  •    Silia Xira: 100m Butterfly and 400m Individual Medley (Girls)
  •    Danae Petropoulou: 50m and 100m Breaststroke (Girls)
  •    Natassa Painesi: 200m Breaststroke (Girls A)
  •    Doretta Zarbouti: 100m Breaststroke (Youth)

Silver (14):

  •     Natassa Painesi: 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley (Girls A)
  •     Angelos Zografakis: 100m and 200m Freestyle (Boys)
  •     Filio Mantzara: 400m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke (Girls B)
  •     Silia Xira: 100m Backstroke (Girls)
  •     Doretta Zarbouti: 50m Breaststroke (Youth)
  •     Lora Ferra: 400m Freestyle (Youth)
  •     David Merai: 50m Breaststroke (Boys)
  •     Anny Stavrianou: 200m Backstroke (Girls)
  •     Nikolas Tsoumbelis: 100m Breaststroke (Boys A)
  •     Elena Kanari: 400m Individual Medley (Girls A)
  •     Thanasis Minogiannis: 200m Backstroke (Boys B)

Bronze (6):

  •     Lora Ferra: 50m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley (Youth)
  •     Maria Gaitanidi: 100m Breaststroke (Girls)
  •     Melina Kalogeropoulou: 400m Freestyle (Girls)
  •     Vitalios Albanis: 200m Individual Medley (Boys A)
  •     Thanasis Theodoulidis: 100m Breaststroke (Boys A)

The team was accompanied by their head coach, Mr. Antonis Antoniou and their coaches Mr. Vasilis Demetis and Mr. Giannis Syrbopoulos.

Congratulations to all the athletes for their performance!

 

DCAC 2025 pita cutting – Saturday, February 1 at 5:00pm

DCAC 2025 pita cutting – Saturday, February 1 at 5:00pm

Posted on by tpriskomatis

We are delighted to invite you to the 2025 DCAC Pita Cutting event, taking place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM, in the Deree Gym / A. Christopher court (6 Gravias Street, 15342 Aghia Paraskevi).

Guest of Honor:

Athanasios Ghavelas, two-time Paralympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2021 & Paris 2024)

Address and Honorary Award:

Vasiliki Konstantinopoulou, winner of the 2022 Classic Marathon.

This year, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of The American College of Greece, their presence will deliver a powerful message of strength, determination, and perseverance, values proudly represented by The American College of Greece and the Deree College Athletic Club.

This special occasion will bring together over 1,000 athletes from the Deree Sports Academy – spanning swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, football, and track & field – along with their families and friends.

Each participant will receive a participation diploma and medal, emphasizing the importance of effort and active engagement in sports.

At the event, we will also honor our young athletes who excelled in 2024.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of the event and prizes, iStorm and Kotsovolos, for their unwavering support:

  • Apple MacBook Air 13″ M2 256GB – generously sponsored by iStorm
  • Samsung QLED Smart TV 55″ – generously sponsored by Kotsovolos
  • Sony PlayStation 5 – generously sponsored by Kotsovolos
  • Apple iPad (9th gen) Wi-Fi 64GB – generously sponsored by iStorm
  • Five (5) Xiaomi Pad SE 8.7 4/12GB WF Tablets

Arrival time: 4:30 – 4:50 PM.

We look forward to celebrating this special day with you!

Deree Sports Performance and Development Model – Scientific Approach to Athletic Performance for Deree Basketball Academy.

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

At Deree Sports Academy, our priority is the scientific and evidence-based monitoring of each athlete’s development. Within the framework of the Deree Sports Performance and Development Model, we implement a series of physical performance tests for the U16 team of the Deree Basketball Academy, aiming to optimize various strength and fitness parameters, as well as to ensure the optimal preparation of our athletes.

In the beginning of the season, our athletes participated in specialized tests under the supervision of our Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

The results of these tests were analyzed and evaluated by the Head of Sports Performance and Development, Mr. Dimitris Liosis, who combines scientific data with evidence-based practice to draw conclusions.

Based on the results, personalized training program are provided, tailored to the needs of the team and the specificities of each athlete.

The program’s goal is to optimize athletic performance and reduce the frequency and severity of injuries, ensuring the overall well-being of our athletes.

The Deree Sports Academy strives for the continuous development of their athletes through modern scientific methods and an individualized approach in every aspect of their athletic journey.

10 Medals for the Deree Swim Academy at the “A.O. Okeanos” Swim Meet at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens!

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

The Deree Swim Academy participated with a total of 19 athletes, aged 10-12, in the “A.O. Okeanos” Swim Meet, held on January 17-19 at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens.

Our swimmers gave their best effort, improved their personal records while securing 10 medals, showcasing their dedication and hard work.

Gold Medals (2):

  • George Bergin (50m Butterfly – Boys over 11)
  • Konstantina Kapetanea (50m Backstroke – Girls under 11)

Silver Medals (4):

  • Nick Georgiadis (100m Freestyle – Boys over 11)
  • Nick Georgiadis (50m Freestyle – Boys over 11)
  • Manos Iliopoulos (200m Backstroke – Boys over 11)
  • Lykourgos Kanaris (200m Individual Medley – Boys over 10)

Bronze Medals (4):

  • Konstantina Kapetanea (100m Backstroke – Girls under 11)
  • Lykourgos Kanaris (200m Freestyle – Boys over 10)
  • Iasonas Simos (100m Butterfly – Boys over 11)
  • Panos Kouzanidis (200m Individual Medley – Boys over 11)

The team was accompanied by their coach, Ms. Sofia Samartzi.

Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and impressive performances!

 

The new year started with a great energy for the Deree Volleyball Academy in Loutraki!

Posted on by Vasia Askepidou

The tournament in Loutraki concluded successfully and with a distinction for the Deree Volleyball Academy!

The girls athletes from the team-1 and team-2 participated in the “New Year Volleyball Tournament by G. Klaroudas,” held on January 3-5 at the indoor gym of SPORTCAMP and the Municipal Indoor Gymnasium of Loutraki “G. Galanopoulos.” The 3-day tournament featured numerous matches for our teams, as well as many beautiful moments, with our athletes not only improving their technical skills and gaining competitive experience, but also strengthening their team bond.

Girls of team-1 won the 3rd place in the championship they took part in – taking home their personal medals – while the girls of team-2 achieved the 8th place in their championship.

Congratulations to all our athletes and their head coach, Mr. Kosmas Fragkos, who also accompanied them!

DEREE College Athletic Club