AFL Excellence Program

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The AFL School of Excellence program aims to create active, well rounded and connected young people who excel in AFL and are prepared to overcome challenges, achieve success and positively contribute to their community. The program provides male and female students in Years 7-9 with the opportunity to develop their skills and provide a genuine learning pathway in AFL and sports studies through schooling and beyond. Students will study AFL as part of their junior secondary curriculum studies. 

Students in the program will gain access to a high-quality sporting program developed in partnership with AFL Queensland with recognised accredited AFL coaches and teachers. Students will study HPE together for the academic year and will be engaged in extracurricular AFL excursions and activities. 

The program focuses on a holistic approach to talent development which is made up of 4 core areas:

1. Athlete Development: Enhancement of fundamental skills, fitness, game knowledge and performance habits.
2. Promoting Personal Growth: Through the development of leadership skills, wellbeing, communication and teamwork.
3. Community: Increased participation in the Greater Springfield AFL Community whether it's on the field as a player, or umpire, or off the field as a coach or volunteer at the local AFC club.
4. Future Pathways: Students will be provided with a range of career pathways through the practical experience in AFL and related areas such sports performance, sports psychology and nutrition along with the opportunity to gain qualifications in areas such as coaching and umpiring. The AFL program will have direct alignment to senior pathways in the senior phase of learning including Certificate III in Fitness, Physical Education and Sport and Recreation
5. Positive Youth Development: Supporting students' growth in Confidence, Competence, Character, and Connection.
   
   

EXTRA-CURRICULAR EXPERIECES

Students will be engaged in a number of experiences from year 7 to 9 that will help develop the student around our core aims of the program. The possible experiences that the students will have the opportunity to participate in are:

• Welcome Pack: Includes a branded drawstring bag, mouthguard, and official playing socks.
• Training Sessions: Two structured training sessions held outside regular school hours.
• Curriculum Integration: Dedicated class time to enhance AFL skills, game understanding, and strategic knowledge.
• Competition Opportunities: Participation in high-level competitions such as the AFLQ Schools of Excellence Cup, Year 9 AFLQ Gala Days, and practice matches against local schools.
• Elite Coaching: Mentoring by AFL Queensland-supported coaches with Level 2 and 3 accreditations.
• Professional Education Programs: Access to expert-led sessions covering key topics including training habits, sports psychology, nutrition, recovery, and Indigenous history and perspectives.
• Skills Development Camp: Participation in an AFL Excellence Skills Camp to further develop gameplay and team cohesion.
• Brighton Homes Arena Experiences: Visits to Brighton Homes Arena to observe professional AFL trainings and other experiences.
• Leadership Development: Ongoing development of leadership skills through education, coaching and game day organisational opportunities.
• Strength and Conditioning: Tailored fitness program to enhance athletic performance and prevent injury.
• Umpiring and Coaching Education: Opportunities to gain umpiring and coaching qualifications.​

EXPECTATIONS

Before committing to the AFL Excellence Program, it is important that you review the code of conduct with your child to fully understand and be aware of the commitments required to be a successful AFL Excellence student.  

• Students should demonstrate a desire and ability to play AFL through effort and participation in practical lessons and after school training.
• All students will be required to sign an agreement and pay $160 annual fee which includes; umpiring costs, transport costs, equipment, competition levies, and cost of extra-curricular activities.
  
• Maintain a B or above in effort and behaviour on academic report cards
• Students must maintain an attendance of 90% and above and provide explanations for any absences
• Abide by the school's behaviour expectations and policies – Woodcrest State College Student Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play at all times.
• Wear the school uniform in the correct manner at all times. Academy shirts only to be worn during training sessions. 
• Students will have access to the 2025 Woodcrest Sports Online Store to purchase Academy training shirt (optional), playing shorts (compulsory).​​
  
• Students are responsible for being on time to school and attend all practice sessions
• Students are expected to participate in all school AFL games and Woodcrest Sport carnivals including Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country.
• All students will be required to sign an agreement and pay annual fee which includes; training shirt, referee costs, transport costs, equipment, competition levies and the cost of extra-curricular activities. Camp will incur additional costs.
• Any further activities will be optional with additional subsides costs. E.g., End of year celebrations, additional extra-curricular activities.
  

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