With 47 current Australian reps, Westfields SHS has the secret to producing elite football talent

Westfields Sports High is doing the heavy lifting for football’s elite teams in Australia, with an incredible 47 current representatives across the grades. Here’s the secret to football’s top production line.

Ellie Carpenter has graduated from the Westfields Sports High football program to the Matildas.

Where would Australian football be without Westfields Sports High?

It’s a legitimate question considering the powerhouse Fairfield school is responsible for producing 47 current players in national teams ranging from U17s through to the Matildas and Socceroos.

The Matildas have proven themselves to be Australia’s hottest sporting ticket over the last few years, and WSHS has eight alumni in the squad, including Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alanna Kennedy.

Head of football Kory Babington said it’s a testament to the efforts of teachers and dedication of players to ensure their place as part of the record-breaking team.

“From the school perspective it’s a massive team effort. There’s been a lot of teachers invest time into the kids as a part of their development,” he said.

“It’s up to the kids (to take that next step). When you combine club football with our environment it gives them the chance to improve and break down every individual aspect of the game.

“Every coach wants a technical player who can execute in key moments.

“You look at the physical output of Ellie. She was playing for the national team at 15 and in our senior team at school all while she was in Year 10.

“It doesn’t happen so much now (at such a young age), but over the last 12 months we’ve helped 18 of our players go straight into senior professional environments. If they’re really good in Year 11, teams will look at taking them full-time.”

Westfields has five current Socceroos, headlined by Matt Ryan, along with prestigious former names such as Harry Kewell and Aaron Mooy.

There’s a fair chance there’ll be more to come in the future, with 34 players in underage squads from U17s girls through to U23s men and women.

Babington said there was an emphasis on individual improvement with staff working closely to fine-tune aspects of student’s games.

“The school does things a bit differently to other programs,” he said.

“Our program based on individual technical improvement. We train that and the school’s had a fair bit of consistency in the last 25 years with staff.

“A lot of staff were previous students at the school who understand the training methods and ways to improve young players.

“We like to develop the whole athlete and we take leadership pretty importantly. Currently our two school captains are in the football program.

“There’s also the ability of kids to be able to train up in age groups if they’re good enough. There are lots of role models within the program and we have half a dozen players in the A Leagues.

“Tiago Quintal recently made his debut for Sydney FC and Indiana dos Santos is only 17 and has already won two championships.”

Alanna Kennedy with the next generation of Westfields Sports High students. Picture: Contributed

Like many elite programs trying to stay ahead of the curve, Babington said an investment in the latest technology had helped the keep them ahead of the pack.

“In a recent sports high school review where seven schools come together with an independent group, our football program came away with very glowing reports,” he said.

“That’s due to how we organise things, our computer software, programming and reporting. We’re pretty advanced in using technology as a way to develop players.”