AFL Programs

DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETE AND SPORTS EDUCATION

All AFL Industry programs are run by our Athlete & Sports Education team who are highly qualified and have extensive experience in elite sports, adult education, career guidance, course design and online course development. This broad range of experience and skills enables the team to create innovative and tailored learning solutions to maximise the outcomes for both players, their Clubs and the broader AFL Industry.

AFL SportsReady has brought all of its AFL, AFLPA, AFLCA, AFL Umpires and AFLW Education programs into one department that will focus on all areas of Athlete and Sports Education. This has enabled AFL SportsReady to offer better resourcing for its AFL programs.

Delivery to AFL Players will be more Club driven with greater flexibility in the content of workshops and greater opportunity for Club staff to be involved. An individual tutorial relationship between players and educators will support this process providing what we are calling an athlete-centred, club-driven approach.

• AFL / AFLW PROGRAMS

  We have developed our Certificates and Diploma programs so they flow logically from the AFL Induction Program and the content including assessments and workshops will be more contextualised to meet the needs of AFL & AFLW players. Cert IV/Diploma workshops will be delivered with greater flexibility in the content and with more opportunities for Club staff/stakeholders to be involved in the structure with an individual tutorial relationship between players and educators supporting this process providing an athlete-centred, club-driven approach to education.

   

  • AFL Player Education Pathway 2018-19
  • AFL Player Induction Program
  • AFL SportsReady Football Induction Program
  • AFL Player Outduction Program (coming soon)
  • Next Goal Program
    Players are provided with practical work experience and on-the-job training in an industry of their choice. Since 2002, more than 300 players have enjoyed the benefits of a Next Goal Work Placement, which is structured in consultation with the player’s football obligations and the partner employer’s expectations to achieve a successful outcome for both player and employer.

   

• AFL EXECUTIVE COURSES

  Our Executive courses are available to AFL/AFLW Players, Club staff, Coaches and in some cases the general public. They have been designed to meet the needs of the AFL Industry and to provide a pathway for people to develop their careers across the AFL.

   

  > COURSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

  • Professional Certificate – Player Agent
  • Executive Certificate – Player Development
  • Professional Certificate – AFL Recruiting
  • Executive Certificate – Teaching and Education for Coaching
  • Specialist Certificate – Coaching Female Athletes
  • Professional Certificate – AFL List Management

   

  > COURSES FOR THE AFL INDUSTRY ONLY

  • Professional Certificate in Football Administration
    The AFL is committed to investing in the education and professional development of their industry leaders. The Professional Certificate (Football Administration) has been designed to prepare and extend potential and current football administrators within the AFL. The Professional Certificate (Football Administration) requires attendance at a 2 day intensive, completion of selected online pre-readings and completion of written assessment task.

   

  • Executive Certificate in AFL Management (Football Operations and List Management)
    The AFL is committed to investing in the education and professional development of their industry leaders. The Executive Certificate in AFL Management has been designed to establish a high performing cohort of Football Operations Managers and List Managers within the AFL and subsequently:
    – Set standards for future leaders aspiring to progress into senior Operations roles
    – Ensure there is a pool of talented leaders ready to assume future senior roles
    – Reinforce the AFL Industry as a leader in the way it develops and invests in its people. Upon completion of the Executive Certificate in AFL Management (Football Operations & List Management), participants will be eligible for 1 unit of credit, towards a Masters of Management through La Trobe University.

   

  PLEASE NOTE: The Professional Certificate runs on years that end with an even number (2016 | 2018) and the Executive Certificate runs in years that end with an odd number (2017 | 2019)

• UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS

  Our partnerships with University’s in each state mean that players who complete a Diploma with AFL SportsReady will get guaranteed entry into a range of degrees usually with 1 year’s credit. This means players are better off spending 2 years studying a Cert IV then Diploma at their Club and then going into 2nd Year university. In addition, many of our Executive Courses provide a pathway to Masters courses at La Trobe University with 1 unit’s credit.

  Our partnerships with University’s in each state mean that players who complete a Diploma with AFL SportsReady will get guaranteed entry into a range of degrees usually with 1 year’s credit. This means players are better off spending 2 years studying a Cert IV then Diploma at their Club and then going into 2nd Year university. In addition, many of our Executive Courses provide a pathway to Masters courses at La Trobe University with 1 unit’s credit.

  For more information, visit: University Pathways

  

• MEET THE TEAM

  The new Athlete & Sports Education team has a broad range of expertise in educational design, online education and athlete wellbeing.

   

  • MATTHEW SCHOLES – DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION / HEAD OF AFL PROGRAMS
    Matthew has been Director of Education at AFL SportsReady for the past 7 years leading the Executive Programs and University Partnerships. He is also a Visiting Scholar in the Centre for Sport and Social Impact at La Trobe University, a member of the International Positive Psychology Association and a Life Member of the Victorian Commonwealth Games Association.
    M: 0412 031 269  |  E: [email protected]

   

  • LINDA IMMS – NATIONAL PROJECTS MANAGER
    Linda has been working for AFL SportsReady for 6 years managing the Executive Education programs. Linda is a leader in designing, developing and managing innovative online portals and courses that enhance the educational outcomes for participants.
    M: 0419 132 028  |  E: [email protected]

   

  • CASEY SHERRIFF – NATIONAL PROJECTS OFFICER
    Casey is an AFLW listed player with Melbourne Football Club who will provide valuable Project administration support across all our AFL/AFLW programs including supporting the AFL Induction Program.
    M: 03 8413 3531  |  E: [email protected]

   

  • TARA DAVIS – CO-ORDINATOR AFLW & EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS
    Tara has worked at AFL SportsReady for the past 7 years and is a highly regarded educator and course designer. Tara previously worked as a lecturer at both Holmesglen TAFE and Swinburne University managing their sports and fitness programs.
    M: 0403263154  |  E: [email protected]

   

  • BRAD JENKINSON – CO-ORDINATOR ELITE ATHLETE PROGRAMS
    Brad has been with AFL SportsReady for 6 years and is an experienced educator specialising in the education of elite athletes having worked across all sports including the AFL, Cricket, NRL and Baseball. Brad has worked as a Lecturer at Universities as well as being part of Melbourne Storm’s Strength and Conditioning Coaching Team.
    M: 0409 194 370  |  E: [email protected]

   

  • BEN MABON – CO-ORDINATOR AFL INDUCTION & NEXT GOAL PLACEMENTS
    Ben was the National Mentoring Co-ordinator at Ladder for 3 years. Ben was a listed AFL player at North Melbourne and he is passionate about wanting to create opportunities to educate, inform, empower and engage players to gain the most out of their AFL careers and to prepare them for life after football.
    M: 0450 133 571  |  E: [email protected]