MELBOURNE has continued its commitment to the development of women’s football, by providing an amazing inner sanctum experience for 21 girls from the Hallam Senior College Sports Academy.
The Club recognises the importance of encouraging and educating the new generation of female footballers, so that they continue to become not only the pioneers of the push towards being players in a national competition, but also build the passion and desire to become administrators to ensure the continued success of women’s football.
Melbourne is proud of the partnership with the Hallam Senior College Sports Academy.
The Academy offers students a unique Australian Rules Football Development Program that provides specialisation in conditioning, training and playing, while simultaneously providing career pathways connected to the Australian Rules football industry.
The students commenced the day with a tour of the MCG, where they learned some history of the MCG and gained some great knowledge about women’s direct impact on sport, especially in cricket.
From the MCG, the girls were taken on a tour of Melbourne’s state of the art training facilities at AAMI Park by Chris Connolly, where they had the opportunity to gain inner sanctum information about the players’ training schedules and routines.
Female staff from the club’s administration were involved to showcase the breadth of opportunities available to women in the football industry.
As part of the girls’ Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), they are required to run a series of training clinics, and the girls were lucky enough to spend time with Melbourne academy coach Kelly O'Donnell to talk them through some important points when working with young people who are only just learning the game.
The girls learned skills for teaching in the of AFL, which they will incorporate into their clinics and curriculum planning.
The girls will conduct a nine week AFL program with more than 40 grades five and six 6 girls from Maramba Primary School.
The Hallam Senior College Sports Academy is the reigning state champions, and is seeking applications for next year’s AFL girls’ academy.
The academy is for girls in Years 10-12, and combines their AFL course (Certificate two Sport and Recreation) with their desired subjects/programs.
Information regarding the academy can be found on the school’s website www.hallamssc.vic.edu.au or by contacting Brett Alexander on 0407 824 140. Applications must be submitted by 22 June 2011.
