By Brendan Rees
The next generation of Casey’s athletic stars and coaches will be able to rub shoulders with an AFL team while studying.
Forty-five young football players from local clubs were joined by Melbourne Football Club players and coaches on Wednesday 15 August at Casey Fields to officially launch the Chisholm Sports Academy Melbourne Football Club program.
They enjoyed an intense football clinic alongside players Tim Smith, Dean Kent and Jay Kennedy-Harris, as well as coaches Troy Chaplin and Max Rooke.
Prior to being drafted by Melbourne Football Club at the age of 25, defender Tim Smith completed his plumbing apprenticeship at Chisholm.
Under the plan, the Chisholm Sports Academy Melbourne Football Club Program will be delivered from Chisholm’s Cranbourne campus and Melbourne Football Club’s Casey campus.
It will see Chisholm engaged across different levels of the club including, Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy and the Casey Demons VFL team.
Chisholm chief executive officer Dr Rick Ede said the new initiative would allow students to combine their academic and football pursuits while developing significant transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and goal setting.
“As two leaders in our field, it made sense for us to come together to provide students with the highest quality sports industry education available,” he said.
“Students will train with elite level coaches, be supported to develop mentally and physically, and have the opportunity to undertake exclusive work placements and internships with our industry partners including the Melbourne Football Club.
“Employment in the sports industry is forecast to grow strongly and with Melbourne’s South East having some of the highest sports participation rates in Victoria, it is safe to assume that it will also have many of these jobs.”
Melbourne Football Club General Manager of Football Operations Josh Mahoney said he was excited to partner with Chisholm and to support this development program.
“The program presents an exciting way for up-and-coming athletes to undertake a program that access skills-based training as well as strength and conditioning under the guidance of Melbourne Football Club coaches and support staff,” he said.
Students will be able to complete studies in Chisholm’s senior secondary program right through to a bachelor degree – all from the Cranbourne campus.
