THE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

 

WHAT IS THE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (ADP)?

 

  • The Athlete Development Program is a select-entry program dedicated to improving educational and sporting outcomes for students.
  • The ADP runs Technical Squad Sessions for AFL, Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Netball and Soccer
  • The program provides an opportunity for student-athletes to pursue their passion in a holistic academic and sport-based partnership.
  • The individualisation and specialist nature of this program forms the foundation on which students build their skills.
  • All staff have specialised and extensive skills & experiences to facilitate this program (https://www.adp.vic.edu.au/the-coaches/)
  • At a physical level, the program aims to provide student-athletes with long-term athletic development training within a secondary college environment.
  • To complement the physical preparation, the program provides high level technical coaching in a variety of sports.
  • Emphasis is placed on integrating students’ passions, academic progress, behavioural expectations and effort requirements.
  • The aims are to ‘value-add’ and support the student-athletes sporting commitments and goals.
  • All coaching and physical training is carried out by highly qualified and professional staff.
  • Student-athletes in the ADP are held to certain requirements to retain their position; these are based around academic and behavioural standards, attendance and effort. All of these requirements are tied into the Student- Athlete Agreement which every athlete signs when accepting a place in the Program.

    SPORTS AVAILABLE

• Australian Rules Football (AFL)
• Athletics (Middle Distance and Sprints/Jumps)
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Cycling (EOI)
• Netball
• Soccer

 

COMPONENTS OF THE ADP

General Physical Preparation: General Physical Preparation (GPP) is the foundation for athletic development.
GPP develops physical conditioning in flexibility, mobility, strength, speed, agility, endurance and other
fundamental components of fitness. GPP plays an important role in injury prevention, rehabilitation and
reconditioning post injury.

Technical Squad: The Athlete Development Program’s Technical Squads are focused on providing an opportunity
for each student-athlete to develop, challenge, refine their skills and increase their understanding of their
chosen sport. The Technical squads train in the morning before school with our specialist and qualified coaches.
These sessions focus on skill acquisition, tactical development and game understanding.
Theoretical and Health Professional Content: Students will be exposed to a range of information, concepts and
health professional presentations throughout their ADP journey. To complement the delivery of VCAA
curriculum requirements, the ADP uses an accredited Sports Psychologist, Sports Dietitians, Physiotherapists,
and an Exercise Physiologist to deliver and inform theoretical content.

 

CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEMBER SCHOOLS

Athlete Development Program website: https://www.adp.vic.edu.au/

Application documentation will be available via the ADP website (above) and via the following contacts at their
respective colleges.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College – Dean Sheldrick Sheldrick.Dean@BSSC.EDU.AU
Bendigo South East College – Isaac Murphy Isaac.Murphy@education.vic.gov.au
Crusoe College – Nic Facey Nicholas.Facey@education.vic.gov.au
Eaglehawk Secondary College – Darcy Richards Darcy.Richards@education.vic.gov.au
Weeroona College Bendigo – Liam Ireland Liam.Ireland@education.vic.gov.au

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2027 ADMISSION

    • 2026 ADP Applications Open 9th June 2026  https://www.adp.vic.edu.au/
    • Applications close 21st August 2026
    • Technical Squad Trials (before school) 7th – 18th September 2026
    • 9th September 2026 Physical Testing Sessions (during business/school hours)