St Francis Catholic College has partnered with Academy Movement to offer selected students in years 10 to 12 the opportunity to join our Elite Sports Academy (ESA) program.

Students participate in an elite athlete development program while completing their senior secondary studies. The ESA caters to athletes from all sporting codes and allows students to focus on strength and conditioning, supplementing the sport they participate in outside the College.

When students join the ESA, they:

• complete a structured curriculum from Years 10-12 that includes a VET Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, Level 1 Sports Trainer certification and full First Aid and CPR certification.
• participate in high-level strength and conditioning training sessions built into their timetable delivered by a qualified coach with tailored programs to help them excel in their sport.

• benefit from an engaging and supportive environment among students who share their passion for sport and exercise
• learn about post-secondary education opportunities and career pathways
• gain access to elite sporting organisations through excursions and incursions.

How to apply

Applications for the ESA open to all Year 9 students at the end of Term 2 for commencement in Year 10.

Each application is assessed on sporting, behavioural and academic merit.

Successful students must represent the school, the academy, and themselves by participating in all aspects of school life to the best of their ability.

Students can re-apply in subsequent years only if a place in the academy becomes available, and each application will be assessed on the same criteria as above.

Students must compete in at least one sport outside the College at any level. Representative (e.g., state, national, etc.) level sports will be considered favourably, as will students with excellent behavioural and academic records.

For more information, please contact Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach Jacob Scott at jscott@sfcc.vic.edu.au or Academy facilitator Stephanie Bertalmio at sbertalmio@sfcc.vic.edu.au

Program partners

The College proudly partners with Academy Movement and Savile, a registered training organisation, to deliver the Elite Sports Academy program. Pro Physio Plus generously volunteer their time to help with our strapping and taping unit. We thank them for sharing their experience and knowledge with us.

A trip to Tigerland

Year 11 Melton Campus ESA students visited Richmond Football Club, touring the Punt Road Oval facilities before listening to a presentation about careers and study pathways in the sports industry post Year 12.

They also completed a training session facilitated by Richmond Institute’s strength and conditioning coaches.

Our students left with a better understanding of the broad scope of jobs available within a professional sporting organisation and the different options for further study.

Our thanks to the staff at Richmond Institute for sharing their insights and expertise.

You can watch highlights from the day here.

March 2026

Pro Physio visit

Year 10 Melton ESA students visited the Pro Physio Plus headquarters in Hoppers Crossing to complete the strapping and taping component of their Sports Trainer Level 1 qualification.

Students participated in a hands-on workshop guided by expert sports physiotherapists, learning to tape for common ankle and knee injuries.

The physios shared their knowledge and expertise from their years of experience in the industry, with some advice for our aspiring student-athletes who may also be looking to pursue further study/career opportunities in the allied health and sports science field, in addition to their sporting endeavours.

We thank Pro Physio Plus for their generous support of the Elite Sports Academy program over the last four years.

April 2026

Athlete Development Program (Melton Campus - Years 7-9)

The St Francis Catholic College Athlete Development Program (ADP) is designed for students in Years 7 and 8 to participate in foundation-level strength and conditioning training to benefit their sports performance.

It also allows students to experience the Elite Sports Academy (ESA) environment during a semester-based elective in Year 9 before applying for the ESA.

Year 7 and 8

The ADP will run as an extracurricular activity in Years 7 and 8, with students able to participate once per week in a training session under the guidance of the Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach, with the support of an Academy teacher.

Training sessions are built around foundational bodyweight movements, where students will learn how to control and move their body efficiently and safely, providing benefits such as increased physical performance in their chosen sport and reduced risk of injury.

While the ADP in Years 7 and 8 is a voluntary, extra-curricular activity, it can improve a student’s chance of selection for the Year 9 elective program by demonstrating their behaviour, commitment, teamwork, leadership and sporting ability before they apply.

This may also help improve their chances of being selected for the ESA in Year 10.

Year 9

The ADP in Year 9 will consist of one theory and one practical class per week. The practical class will focus on bodyweight movements, with some light resistance added to the training program depending on the requirements of each student’s sport. It is more specific than the Year 7 and 8 training sessions, and the theory class will include content from the following units, all relating to the sports industry:

• Fitness for Life

• Nutrition for Life

• Goal Setting and Healthy Habits

There will be one class per semester, with students only able to participate in Semester 1 or Semester 2, depending on timetabling logistics (students cannot choose which semester they participate in).

Places in the ADP and ESA are competitive, and we recommend students demonstrate and maintain high standards of behaviour to ensure their application is successful.

In Term 2, applications for Year 10 ESA places will open, and all students will be encouraged to apply if they would like to continue with the program into Years 10, 11 and 12.

One class consisting of 24 students will be selected for Year 10. These students remain in the ESA class until Year 12 (unless they do not meet the expectations of the ESA or withdraw due to other reasons).

If a place becomes available in Year 10, ESA staff may re-open applications to fill vacancies.

For more information please contact SFCC Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach Jacob Scott at jscott@sfcc.vic.edu.au or Academy facilitator Stephanie Bertalmio at sbertalmio@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Celebrating success

We are so proud of our ESA students who have achieved excellence in their sport in 2026.

Year 10 student Olivia earned a gold medal in karate at the Australian Open in Sydney, with 6-2 and 3-0 wins against two strong Western Australian competitors, and finally a 3-2 win against her friend and Victorian State Team training partner. 

Olivia’s win places her as the front-runner for national selection later this year, with the World Championships in Poland in mid-October and the Commonwealth Championships in Scotland in early November. 

She is also eyeing selection for the Australian Team for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games later this year.

Year 10 student Lachlan competed at the LA VIC State Track & Field Championships and came third in the U16s Shotput. Lachlan also achieved fifth place in the Discus.

Year 10 student Madeline, has been selected to represent Victoria at the Gryphon Cup International Hockey Tournament to be held in Perth during November this year. Madeline will compete against teams from Japan, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore.

Year 10 student Benjamin, has been selected for the U18s squad to play at the International Youth Hockey Cup to be held in Sydney. Benjamin will compete against teams from Malaysia, India, Singapore and New Zealand.

Year 10 students Josh and Beth, who have been selected for Western Jets U/16 2026 squads.

Year 11 student Caleb (pictured below, far right) represented Victoria at the Australian Athletics Junior Championships in Brisbane and scored a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay. He also came eighth in the 400m final and his time saw him qualify for Nationals next year.

Year 11 student Zach, finished an undefeated season in domestic basketball, including a grand final win. Zach passed both his 300-game and 2000-point milestones during the season.

Year 11 student Melakhy was selected for the Victorian Rugby League squad to compete at the National Tournament.

Year 12 student and College Captain Shameka's Geelong Premier Cricket Club team won the 2025/26 season grand final.