Elite APS schools launch massive review into future of their school sport
Victoria’s most elite private schools are conducting the biggest review in a century into their sporting programs, and it could have massive ramifications for future AFL stars.
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Victoria’s most elite school sport competition could be in for its biggest overhaul in a century, potentially heralding massive ramifications for future AFL stars.
The Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS) is embarking on a mass review of every aspect of its sporting program.
The APS, in a statement, revealed the principals of all 11 member schools unanimously agreed to the review.
Schools involved include Haileybury College, Xavier College and Caulfield Grammar, which lead the way in AFL draftees.
Each has produced over 50 AFL draftees, including household names Chris Judd, Jobe Watson and Bailey Smith.
Under current APS policies most elite footballers at the schools involved are required to play school football at weekends, thereby preventing them from playing regularly in the AFL’s elite Under 18 Coates Talent League competition.
The strategic inquiry will look into the mission, vision and aims of each and every sport.
It’s understood a committee of APS personnel are working with an external consultant company to conduct the review.
Each of the 11 Head of Sports will be interviewed and asked to provide information on everything from participation, budget and ideas of improvement.
The review is expected to take at least six months.
Some schools will raise the idea of spring sport – which includes water polo and athletics – joining summer and winter sports.
This would make the summer and winter seasons longer, potentially allowing for finals in team sports.
Others will push for term sport, which would shorten the length of seasons but would allow for student and staff flexibility.
One school intends to raise the overall difference between the boys and girls programs and how they can make sport more attractive for young girls.
Some schools have shown interest in a model used interstate where lower aged sports are solely played on Friday afternoons.
This approach frees up grounds while also allowing teachers, students and parents to have their weekends unaffected.
Other elite, non-AFL sporting graduates from the schools involved include star tennis player Dylan Alcott (Brighton Grammar) netball champion Sharelle McMahon (Wesley College) and V8 Supercars stalwart Will Davidson (Xavier College),
APS schools are recognised for their strong sporting competitions and facilities, with many implementing extensive scholarship programs which attract the best young sportsmen and women from across Victoria and interstate.
In November of last year, this masthead revealed 78 per cent of the best players from the 2023 draft crop were involved in private school sporting programs.
Nine students of APS schools reached AFL lists last year alone.
Full list of APS schools: Brighton Grammar, Carey Grammar, Caulfield Grammar, Geelong College, Geelong Grammar, Haileybury College, Melbourne Grammar, St Kevin’s College, Old Scotch College, Wesley College and Xavier College.
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