Football Development Program
Take your game to the next level in the Football Development Program.
The Carlton College of Sport Football Development Program is an opportunity for any footballer keen to take their game to the next level, to spend a year undertaking an AFL level football development program at the Carlton Football Club, while simultaneously attaining a tertiary qualification in Sport Business, Sport Science or Coaching and Development.
The program, created by Carlton Football Club high performance staff, is designed to complement the normal training activities of developing footballers while ensuring they are prepared for life outside of the game.
For more information about the Football Development Program, download the program flyer here.
WHO IS IT FOR?
MALE AND FEMALE PLAYERS
The program will run both a male and female stream.
FOOTBALL LEVEL
NAB League, State League or Community level footballers.
ASPIRING FOOTBALLERS
Anyone who wants to take their football performance to the next level.
MEET OUR COACHES
Torin Baker
Carlton College of Sport & Academy Pathway Coach
Ash Naulty
VFL Football Operations Coordinator
Maddy Prespakis
Carlton College of Sport and Academy Pathway Assistant Coach.
how does it work?
Individuals undertaking the Football Development Program will spend 1-1.5 days a week at the Carlton Football Club, undertaking a range of football development activities including but not limited to:
- Strength and conditioning
- Recovery
- Injury rehabilitation
- Craft and skills training
- 1:1 individual development coaching with the Carlton College of Sport coaches
These activities will be aligned to individual abilities and conducted in consultation with coaching staff from respective home clubs and teams.
Participating individuals will then attend classes at the Carlton College of Sport on three additional days, allowing access to facilities and coaching staff across the remainder of the week. The program will run from February to October to encompass both the football season and academic calendar.
Download a sample weekly timetable here.
MEET OUR PLAYERS
Program information
A Typical Week
Click here to download a sample timetable for a student enrolled in the Football Development Program. Timetables will vary depending on choice of academic study but can be expected to be reasonably similar to the example provided.
Home Club Integration
Program Outcomes
Academically, participants will leave with a Higher Education Diploma from La Trobe University – a tertiary qualification that will allow immediate employment opportunities or direct entry into the second year of bachelor programs at La Trobe. Additional qualifications such as certificate 3 and 4 in fitness (personal training) are also included in the program, depending on course selection.
Academic Coursework
Diploma of Elite Sport Business – comprising 8 first year Bachelor of Business units, students have the ability upon graduation to move directly into a range of broad business and sport business areas of study. Coursework is designed to produce the next generation of off-field sports leaders ready to tackle the challenges facing the team that supports the team. Students will learn the fundamentals of the business of sport, including management, marketing and media all within a high-performance environment, allowing real understanding of the resources and systems required to support professional sporting organisations. The program is ideal for an aspiring footballer who is interested in the operations of sport beyond the boundary.
Entry Requirements
Applicants will also be required to undertake an interview with Carlton FC staff to determine their suitability for the program. Applicants who do not qualify academically can explore alternative pathways into the program through discussion with CCoS staff. Places are limited to ensure high quality development outcomes for participants.
Fees and costs
Carlton College of Sport Diploma coursework is charged at $21,000* for a full years study & extracurricular activity (Football Development Program) – a cost which is fully deferrable under the Australian Governments FEE-HELP program.
Carlton College of Sport courses are categorised as Employer Reserved Place’s at La Trobe University and therefore are eligible for the Australian Governments FEE-HELP program. In essence, a 1-year diploma at the Carlton College of Sport will accrue a study debt of $20,000*, payable progressively as part of taxable income once a student has gainful employment earning in excess of $51,956^ annually. Students are not required to pay any amount upfront unless they choose not to defer their program fees.
For more information, please see Paragraph 36-15 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
* 2020 course fee cost. ^2018/19 threshold.
Other Inclusions
- Uniform and training attire
- Program equipment
- Individual GPS Unit
- Strength and Conditioning Program Software
- Physiotherapy assessment & Massage
- Partner discounts i.e. PUMA boots