An education program in Wangaratta 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.
With grade 10 and 11 students currently weighing up their options for 2023, The Academy is calling on male students with passion for AFL to undertake VCAL in an AFL simulated environment that leads to career pathways both on and off the field.
The Academy combines students’ passion for football with learning pathways that align with their other strengths and interests.
A percentage of graduates go onto university, while many enter the workforce or pursue a trade.
The Academy has an experience day for families to learn more about the program at Wangaratta on Monday, September 26, from 12:30pm-4pm.
Mr Rance said the experience day will give students a condensed snapshot of what day to day life is at The Academy.
“We will do some running, testing and skills but we will also be doing some numeracy and literacy which will be based on their passion and a bit of pathway planning,” he said.
The Academy has been operating in Wangaratta since last year and has proved successful in its short lifespan.
Mr Rance said 22 of a possible 25 students enrolled into Wangaratta campus this year and many have enjoyed the engaged learning experience, especially being a lockdown free year.
It’s going really really well,” he said.
“I think talking to students about how they best learn and what they’ve shown during lockdowns is that computer screens are not the best way to learn, we need to passionately engaged in what we’re doing, so weather that’s out on the footy field or in the classroom it needs to be aligned with your passion and getting the most out of it”
Students hone their football skills while on the education side students head down a path of their choosing.
One of those students is Brayden George, who has been a member of The Academy since relocating to Wangaratta last year.
He is touted by many to be a first round draft pick in this year’s AFL, and he said the professional preparation habits within a football season has been one of his biggest takeaways from the experience.
“Things I’ve taken the most from it all would have to be the leadership side if it all and probably the professional mind set from switching from a normal mainstream school to a kind of more professional environment,” he said.
“Making new friendships and meeting new people, moving to a town I’d never been to and making some really strong bonds is something I’m really grateful for.”
To register for The Academy experience day, visit https://theacadeny.com.au/events/.
You can access this on this link.
Interested in finding out more about The Academy, join us at one of our events: theacademy.com.au/events/