Senior Academy

At all levels of football, it is critical to develop a strong foundation for the Fundamentals of Football.

The techniques for the fundamental skills of the game, and also the basic understanding of Game Sense have been identified as key foundation pieces for your journey as a footballer. This section of the curriculum will be built-on throughout each player's Rookie Me Academy journey.

Breaking down the layers of each skill technique, allows players to see first-hand how their skill can be improved. Key elements include high repetition, and the balance of speed and accuracy to support development of each skill.

SKILL TESTING

Athletes will participate in an official verified Skills Testing event during the 2026 Rookie Me Academy. This allows all participants the opportunity to showcase their skill execution in a structured and consistent environment — contributing to their overall football profile. It provides the opportunity to monitor progress and improvement for the individual based on the key skills of the game. It also connects them to potential talent pathways throughout their Rookie Me Academy experience.

SKILL

Each year, players will be equipped to excel at the key fundamental skills of the game, which include:

• Kicking
• Hand-Balling.
• Ball Handling.
• Combat safety.

STRATEGY

Each year, players will be exposed to the initial concepts of reading the play. Understanding the THREE phases of the game, and piecing together the basic questions of game sense:

• Where am I?
• Where is the football?
• What is happening?

Australian rules football is diverse and forever evolving. The development of a player’s Game Sense is to identify a moment in a game and react accordingly to have an impact.

Working from the Rookie Me Curriculum, and using the ‘THREE Phases of the Game’, attacking, defending and contesting, the Senior Academy athletes will be exposed to level 3 education on topics such as:

• Defending an opponent and space.
• Pressure defence.
• Using an outnumber.
• Supporting the ball carrier.
• Ball movement.
• Scoring.
• Positional craft.

The focus of the Game Sense Football modules in 2026, will provide players a greater understanding of how to support their teammates when getting out of traffic; also looking at how to defend the opposition when they have clear possession, man-on-man and zoning.

The program will elaborate on the importance of up-skilling players on the key craft of playing as a forward (position).

These module topics include:

• Shape to Support the Ball Carrier.
• Defending Ball Movement; and
• Forward craft.

Australian rules football is a physical contest and it is encouraged to embrace combat and welcome the battle during a game. Combat skills are important and can be used in every position and in every situation in a game.

In 2026, the focus of the Combat modules will explore the need for combat when in-play, as both a defender and an attacker. This teaches the footballer to physically create space between themself and their opponent, protection of the drop zone in a marking contest, or controlling your opponent in a 1v1 combat, to gain an advantage.

Across the Senior Academy, athletes will be exposed to Level 3 education on topics such as:

• Tackling from all angles.
• Protect the drop zone.
• Falling safely.
• 1 v 1 Combat.
• Creating space.
• Corralling to control space.
• Bumping and shepherding.
• Ball winning under pressure.
• Gaining an advantage in a contest.

*The combat education will mirror the football ‘Game Sense’ education at each school holiday event. So whatever the football module being taught, the combat program will be used to enhance the education.

At the Senior level, it is critical to develop a strong foundation for the Fundamentals of High Performance and how you are able to best set up your physical journey both on-and-off the field.

Performance preparation and assessing your physical characteristics, are key foundation pieces for your journey as an athlete.

This area of the curriculum will be built upon throughout the Rookie Me Academy player journey.

COMBINE TESTING

Players will have the chance to participate in an official verified combine Testing event at the 2026 Rookie Me Academy. This event is intended to familiarise players with the techniques of the specific testing battery aligned with Australian rules football, while also contributing to their physical profile.

Set the standard for yourself — through testing, athletes are then able to evaluate their progress, performance and improvement. Their results could potentially support them to connect to talent pathways throughout their Rookie Me Academy experience.

WARMING UP

The importance of warming up your body and being prepared to attempt physical activity is a key foundation of getting the most out of your body and your training. Learning the keys to warming up properly, sets you up to hit the ground running when you start training, and prevents you from getting any unnecessary injuries.

Strength and conditioning is a massive piece of the footballer’s puzzle. Developing yourself as an athlete is as valuable as developing your kicking and handballing skills; and by learning adequate techniques and concepts allows players to consistently progress on their physical development journey.

Across the Senior Academy, athletes will be exposed to Level 3 education on topics such as:

• Strength training.
• Understanding speed and agility.
• Understanding endurance.
• Injuries / Rehab training / Overtraining.

The focus of the Strength & Conditioning module in 2026 is to emphasise the importance of young athletes acquiring foundational strength, to build upon in the future. This is accomplished by learning technique and structure to support their growing bodies. Also, enhancing our abilities to accelerate and change direction; and get in and out of trouble, on the football field.

These module topics include:

• Strength training.
• Understanding speed and agility.

Preparation is an important element for every footballer. Both physical and mental preparation impacts a player’s ability to develop, stay focused, be consistent and ultimately perform on the field. Across the Senior Academy, athletes will be exposed to Level 3 education on topics such as:

• Pre-and-post game nutrition.
• Game day routines.
• Psychology for better mental health.
• Prehab training.
• Dealing with concussion.
• The importance of a balanced diet.

The focus of the Preparation module in 2026, explores the power of a balanced diet to fuel, nourish and repair our bodies in the midst of growth and rigorous training and playing schedules.

The module topic is:

• The importance of a balanced diet.

At the Senior level, we actively promote the need to develop a strong foundation for the Fundamentals of Leadership, and what is involved in creating an impact as an individual and a teammate.

Setting up structures to ensure a higher rate of success and the required commitment to action this, are identified as key foundation pieces for your journey as a leader. This section of the curriculum will be built on throughout each Rookie Me Academy player journey.

GOAL SETTING

The use of S.M.A.R.T criteria for goal setting has been set up to identify the intentions of our players, and to put the correct steps in place for them to chase these goals.

TRADEMARKING

This area is dedicated to exposing players to the idea of identifying personal trademarks, and looking at ways to actively take ownership/responsibility of our actions to improve leadership. The progression of this process includes team trademarking, where the collective group works together to help group success.

Each player is different, and your impact as a leader can vary. The development of your own individual leadership is definitely a powerful addition to any team.

Across the Senior Academy, athletes will be exposed to Level 3 Education on topics such as:

• Identifying support networks.
• Dealing with adversity.
• Choices and consequences.
• Showing gratitude.
• Building motivation.
• Developing individuality.

The focus of the Personal Leadership modules in 2026, help players identify key people in their lives, on-and-off the field, who they can turn to when faced with a roadblock, or need advice.

It’s easy to love what you do in life, when everything is going to plan — however the real test is identifying what drives you to keep pushing, work hard, and reach your potential, when faced with challenges.

These modules include:

• Identifying support networks.
• Building motivation.

Australian rules football is a team sport and requires faith and trust in others to achieve success.

Across the Senior Academy, athletes will be exposed to Level 3 education on topics such as:

• Effective communication.
• Growth mindset.
• Teamwork makes the dream work.

The focus of the Team Leadership module in 2026, will explore different communication styles, such as developing the ability to navigate conversations with teammates and coaches, through the use of effective solutions within the football environment.

This module topic is:

• Effective communication.

Each camp is held at a high quality venue, with the program hosted at facilities which rival the standards of AFL/VFL club environments. We conduct our camps at central locations to help accommodate our athlete families travelling from different Victorian regions and interstate.

Past venues include:

• Camberwell Grammar, Camberwell.
• Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (PEGS), Keilor East.
• Wesley College, Glen Waverley.
• Geelong College, Geelong.
• Assumption College, Kilmore.
• Knox School, Wantirna South.
• La Trobe University, Bundoora.
• Casey Fields, Cranbourne.
• Point Cook FC, Point Cook.
• Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn.

VFL venues:

• Williamstown FC.
• Essendon FC.
• Frankston FC.
• Box Hill FC.
• Sandringham FC.
• Collingwood FC.

AFL venues:

• Collingwood FC.
• Essendon FC.
• St Kilda FC.
• Hawthorn FC.
• Carlton FC.
• Western Bulldogs FC.
• Richmond FC.
• North Melbourne FC.

• Module experts, their experience and knowledge reflects the curriculum (For example: Olympians, Police and Fire Officers, recruiters).
• Past and current AFL/W players take training and facilitate a masterclass.

In alignment with what our focus education is for Football, Leadership and High Performance, the Senior Academy players hear from special guests, including module experts; and past and current AFL/W players. These guests will be involved in training and pass on their unique experiences, as well as share their stories and insights, and importantly what they were doing at the same age in order to reach their goals.

The Carnival is the finale to the 2026 Academy program.

The event is designed to be a celebration of the year, while giving our players the opportunity to apply their knowledge and showcase the skills they have learned throughout the 2026 program, in a match experience.

The Rookie Me Senior Academy players are divided into set teams, which allows players/teammates to compete against one another at an elite venue.
We have professional umpires officiating the Carnival matches, which allows our Rookie Me coaches to focus on their teams and coach!

Post-event there will be an official wrap up of the 2026 Academy season, and the opportunity to look ahead at what 2027 will have in store for our athletes.

Each player will have access to our coaches for advice and mentoring, throughout the year. We are committed to impact every player, both on-and-off the field with constant communication and to engage in ‘footy chat’ via Rookie Me Connect.

Rookie Me Connect is our official communication app!

Each player and parent/guardian will create a profile. This is set up through the ‘Family Connect’ feature, to ensure child safety and to keep parents/guardians informed every step of the way.

Players will be able to check into upcoming events, access all of our program’s key information, education and ongoing resources. Academy players also have direct connection with their fellow Academy teammates; and Rookie Me staff and coaches during the 2026 Season.

Connected Learning

We believe strongly that a player’s learning is enhanced significantly through their individual experiences — and there is no better experience than an overnight camp which offers quality and purposeful learning.

In this all-encompassing, high-energy environment players are challenged to step out of their comfort zone and immerse themselves in the experience to connect deeper to their teammates, coaches and learning. This unique camp is designed to empower each player to take ‘the next step’ towards reaching their football goals.