An education program designed for aspiring AFL players and led by former Richmond defender Alex Rance is encouraging students to pursue pathways that better prepare them for life beyond the paddock.
Five years after opening its doors in 2017, some 300 students have passed through The Academy’s campuses in Geelong, Wangaratta and Essendon.
With grade 10 and 11 students currently weighing up their options for 2023, The Academy is calling on male students with a passion for AFL to undertake VCAL in an AFL-stimulated environment that leads to career pathways both on and off the field.
“The Academy is not an AFL draft school, it’s a passion school,” said Mr Rance.
“For a lot of these boys, their passion is football but not everyone will get drafted. We look at the ‘why’ behind that love for AFL, which helps to dig deeper into other potential outcomes they can reach.
“The thing we’ve noticed is that students finish the two years with a far greater emotional intelligence and the readiness to be part of a team culture.
“They have developed an understanding of what their skill-set is, what they can offer the work environment, and how they can be part of a successful team.”
A percentage of graduates go onto university, while many enter the workforce or pursue a trade.
Two Academy graduates have been drafted to the Australian Football League, including Essendon defender Joshua Eyre and Cody Raak, who was drafted to the Western Bulldogs in 2021. A third graduate is on track for the November draft.
Essendon Bombers supporter Zedekiah Marshall attended Highview College in Maryborough and played football for Golden Square Football Club in Bendigo before joining The Academy with AFL stars in his eyes in 2017.
“I definitely went into that process wanting to become a professional footballer and saw The Academy as a pathway to get there,” said Mr Marshall.
“My passion was football and I struggled to connect with the way education is delivered in mainstream schools. The approach to teaching at The Academy is much more individualised and focused on our strengths and passions. In those two years my outlook changed a lot.
“Coming in, my dream was to become an AFL player and that was my only goal. By the end, they had taught and instilled in us that there is a lot more to life. As much as you want to play AFL, if that doesn’t work out what else are you going to do?”
The Academy combines students’ passion for football with learning pathways that align with their other strengths and interests. Students hone their football skills while on the education side students head down a path of their choosing.
“Following my passion for business I did work experience in three different companies, including a real estate agency, gymnasium, and an electrical business,” said Mr Marshall.
“That work experience allowed me to identify what I enjoyed and what I wanted to pursue. Alex (Rance) opened up an opportunity to meet with Arc Projects, which led to a job.”
Mr Marshall has tried his hand at various roles within the national construction business over the past four years, working his way up the ranks to ultimately land in a Contracts Administration role based on the Gold Coast.
“I wouldn’t have put myself in these shoes at all. I grew up in a small country town, so I would have seen myself living there, working in my father’s business and playing local footy,” said Mr Marshall.
“I couldn’t have imagined the skills and connections that I have gained through The Academy would lead me to where I am now, working for a large company in a different state.
“I no longer play footy, my life has changed totally. I’m loving my work and enjoying my weekends.”
The Academy offers experience days for families to learn more about the program, meet staff and ask questions. Essendon Campus 19 September, Geelong Campus 20 September and Wangaratta Campus on 26 September from 12.30pm to 4pm. To register, visit https://theacademy.com.au/events/