ASPIRE Sporting Football - Handbook - Varsity College

ASPIRE Sporting
     Football
     Handbook

VARSITY COLLEGE
                                               ASPIRE Football Program

Contents

History and Rationale ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Goals and Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Key Personnel ................................................................................................................................................... 4
      Head Coach – ASPIRE Football .............................................................................................................. 4
Program Overview........................................................................................................................................... 6
      Uniforms ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
      Competitions & Tournaments ................................................................................................................. 7
Partnerships and Industry Links ....................................................................................................................... 7
Student Selection Criteria ............................................................................................................................... 7
Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements ...................................................................... 8
Maintenance of Position in Program ............................................................................................................ 9
Application Process ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix 1: Student Parent Agreement…………………………………………………..……………………..9

‘FITTER, FASTER, STRONGER & SMARTER’

History and Rationale
Since its inception in 2011, the Varsity College ASPIRE Football program has aimed to not
only produce high quality student athletes, but to use Football as a vehicle that assists us in
developing players physically, socially and emotionally. It is an expectation that all players
within the ASPIRE program endeavour to raise their own expectations and adhere to the
program’s core values on a daily basis. The ASPIRE program prides itself on producing
quality student athletes and life-long learners who can take the skills they learn within our
program into their lives outside of school and long into the future.

Students involved within our program can expect to be a part of a team culture that instils
many characteristics that are vital to life in the outside world, such as: teamwork, respect,
responsibility & discipline. With these daily lessons taught and learned on and off the
playing field, our students will become champions of character and coachable
adolescents who will in turn become employable adults.

Goals and Purpose
The ASPIRE Football program aims to provide students an unparalleled opportunity to
develop towards ‘elite’ levels within both Futsal and Soccer, through superior coaching
opportunities and specialised strength and conditioning. Targeted support is provided to
encourage students in reaching their full potential as athletes, whilst promoting academic
success and instilling Varsity College’s CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER values.

   1. RESPECT: Respect for your team, team-mates, coaches, teachers, college, and
      yourself through the demonstration of a strong work ethic and honourable
      behaviour.

   2. INTEGRITY: Adhering to our ASPIRE and College core values and principles and
      conducting yourself with pride.

   3. RESPONSIBILITY: Being accountable for your actions on and off the sporting field.

   4. SPORTSMANSHIP: The continuous demonstration of a positive attitude and respect
      for our team, the opposition and the game.

   5. LEADERSHIP: The ability to lead by example, accept direction from others and
      support and encourage player development and a love for the game.

Key Personnel
Head of Department
Ty Dowker – tdowk1@eq.edu.au

Ty is the Head of Department for Health and Physical Education. Ty joined Varsity College
in 2017, after extensive experience as an Acting Head of Department and Sports
Coordinator in his previous schools of Coombabah SHS and Miami SHS. Ty is an Experienced
Senior Teacher, and is very passionate about the importance of health, fitness and well-
being for students, both educationally and practically. Ty’s role is to oversee the
management of the program, and provide support to teachers, students and parents in
maximizing student outcomes in their study of ASPIRE Football Program.

Head Coach – ASPIRE Football
Jamie Irwin - jirwi17@eq.edu.au

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Education
FFA Senior Coaching Licence
FFA Advanced Senior C Licence

Coaching Experiences:
Queensland Coach for schools football 2016 - 2018
Queensland selector for school Football 2014 – 2018
South Coast School teams 2006 – 2020
Specialist goalkeeper coach

Playing Experiences:
Queensland Representative 1990, 2000 & 2001
Australian Futsal squad 1989
National Premier League - Gold Coast City and Palm Beach 1998-2002
Gold Coast Gamblers 1995 - 1997
Notable: Played against numerous international teams including New Zealand, Fiji, Brazil
and Solomon Islands, Australian Joeys and Olyroos.

Coach – ASPIRE Football
Matthew Fedden – mjfed0@eq.edu.au

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts/ Secondary Education
Grassroots Certificate
Skill Training Certificate
Game Training Certificate
Senior Coaching License Certificate
FFA C Junior Licence

Coaching Experiences:
Gold Coast United SAP Girls U9/10 & U13 Girls (2021- Current)
Broadbeach United Premier Reserves Assistant (2020- Current)
Mudgeereba Premier Reserves Coach and Premiers Assistant (2019)
Hinterland District School Football Team (2019)
Palm Beach Soccer Club Boys U12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and Girls U14, 16 & Senior Women (2014-
2019)

Playing Experiences:
Palm Beach Soccer Club Senior Player 2007 – 2015
Maclean FC Senior Player 2012 & 2013
Gold Coast Representative Football Junior Player 2004 – 2007

Strength & Conditioning Coach
Rick Martin – Bond University High Performance Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

Qualifications:
Diploma of Fitness
ASCA Level 3 Professional level – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Certificate 4 Workplace Training and Assessment & Level 2 Sports Training

Program Overview
The ASPIRE Football program is conducted as an extra-curricular activity to allow students
to access all academic opportunities available at the college, whist still providing students
the opportunity to develop their sporting ability.

The program focuses on providing a sequentially developed program for students over
years 7 -12, closely linked to the ‘Building Blocks’ phases of the Football Federation
Australia’s (FAA) National Curriculum. Accordingly, the Football focus for each year is:

   •   Year 7 & 8 – ‘Intermediate’: Skill Acquisition/Game Play
   •   Year 9 & 10 – ‘Advanced‘: Game Training & Performance
   •   Year 11 & 12 – ‘Elite’: Game and Performance Training

Students will engage in a split summer and winter program focused on both Futsal and
Soccer. The summer season will focus on Futsal in early terms 1 and the winter season will
focus on Soccer in terms 2, 3 & 4.

Tuesday Strength and Conditioning training (non ADP students)
Wednesday Senior – Game Training
Friday      Junior - Game Training

Strength and Conditioning Times:

Venue: Varsity College Sports Centre
Years 7 – 12 Tuesday 6:45am – 8:00am (6:45am arrival for a 7:00am start)

Students MUST be on time and ready to practice as per the program training times set out
above. If a student is unable to take part for any reason they are to notify the Head Coach
via email, phone or in person.

Note: Training times and venues are subject to change based on specialised coaches and
training venue availability.

Uniforms

Students accepted into the ASPIRE Football program will be provided an ‘ASPIRE Football
training shirt’.

It is the expectation of the ASPIRE Football program that students will attend training sessions
and games with their kit, along with required playing equipment including shin pads and
ASPIRE Football socks (available from the uniform shop). Students will not be permitted to
train or play without the correct uniform and safety equipment.

Competitions & Tournaments

The ASPIRE Football program takes part in several competitions throughout the school
calendar year, starting with the interschool GIPSA (Great Independent Public Schools
Alliance) competition, for all students not on the OP pathway.

In addition to the GIPSA competition, program participants will also take part in several
invitational and exhibition style tournaments throughout the year, including:

       1.   Schools Football League
       2.   Bill Turner & ISC Cup
       3.   Coomera River Cup
       4.   Queensland Futsal State Titles

Partnerships and Industry Links

The ASPIRE Football program prides itself on its industry link with Gold Coast Knights NPL
Football Club. This link provides program athletes opportunities to be exposed to elite and
specialised coaches that conduct coaching sessions when requested. The link with Gold
Coast Football also provides athletes and parents advice on career pathways and
opportunities as well as technical advice on national and international trends in Football.

Student Selection Criteria
Successful applicants for the ASPIRE Football Excellence program will need to demonstrate
(and provide supporting documentation for):

   ❑   Complete and submit the ASPIRE FOOTBALL Application Form
   ❑   Above average academic results in all subjects
   ❑   Very high levels of behaviour and effort
   ❑   High levels of achievement in Football – NPL, JPL level
   ❑   High levels of physical fitness displayed at the ASPIRE Football trial day
   ❑   A clear desire for extending their skills within their chosen sport and contributing to
       the broader sport community of the college.

Upon completion of an interview process, staff and specialist teachers will decide on the
suitability of each applicant. Successful applicants will be notified by the school and the
school’s decision will be final.

Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements
The ASPIRE Program is committed to providing and maintaining a high performing and
supportive learning environment for all its students. Being a part of the ASPIRE Program is a
privilege, and students involved in the program must value and respect their placement.
To this end, ASPIRE Students will endeavour to perform at the highest level across the Global
ASPIRE Performance Areas:

ACADEMIC (classroom and extra-curricular)
   •   Maintain high academic standards in all subjects (No ‘D’ or ‘E’ standards)
   •   Submit all assessment complete and by the due date.

BEHAVIOUR AND EFFORT
    •     Maintain a very high standard of behaviour and effort across all subject areas.
    •     Respect teachers and fellow students at all times.
    •     Be punctual and prepared for all lessons.
    •     Display high levels of behaviour at all times, not only during ASPIRE lessons, but
          with all Varsity College staff (teaching and non-teaching), contract and supply
          teachers.

CULTURE
    •     Students understand they bear responsibility as an ambassador of the ASPIRE
          Program to be seen as a positive role model to others within the local
          community
    •     Maintain a high level of school attendance in order to maintain learning
          standards.
    •     Active participation in competitions, events, activities and excursions related to
          the ASPIRE Program.
    •     Maintain high uniform standards in line with the Varsity College Appearance
          Policy.
    •     Be accepting and tolerant of all students.
    •     Show modesty and humility in interacting with students.

Upon acceptance of a position in an ASPIRE Program, students and parents will
demonstrate a commitment to the Expectation and Commitment to Program
Requirements (Appendix 1).

Maintenance of Position in Program
ASPIRE Programs operate a formal review process at the end of each term for students who
consistently are not meeting Global ASPIRE Performance Areas as outlined in the
Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements. Grounds for review may include:

    •   Consistent lateness
    •   Truancy, repeated detentions, after school detentions, suspension
    •   Failure to submit assessment on a regular basis (monitoring and due dates).
    •   Failure to meet academic, behaviour and effort standards as outlined in the
        Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements..
    •   Failure to meet the financial commitment of ASPIRE Program.

The ASPIRE Review Process for students consistently not meeting expectations is completed
at the end of the term. The following procedures are then implemented:

    •   These students and their parents contacted by either the ASPIRE Coordinator or
        the Head of Department where expectations of the program will be discussed.
        Specific targets will be identified, and it is the student’s responsibility to meet
        these.
    •   The student will be placed on probation for the following term. If students fail to
        meet their targets throughout this period, their enrolment in the program will be
        cancelled, and they will be placed in a mainstream class for the remainder of the
        year.

Application Process
The Varsity College ASPIRE Program applicants are required to:

· Complete the online ASPIRE Program Application which can be found on the Varsity
   College website. Upload all required documentation as required and submit by the
   closing date.

   Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

· All Applications must be received no later than Thursday, 1 April 2021.

· You will receive further correspondence about testing dates and times once your
   application has been received and processed.

· Upon completion of the application process, staff and specialist teachers will decide on
the suitability of each applicant. Successful applicants will be notified by the school and
the school’s decision will be final.

APPENDIX 1: Student Parent Agreement
Student Agreement
I understand the purpose of the ASPIRE Program is to select and retain the most highly motivated
and knowledgeable students who will maintain the level of commitment, dedication and interest
necessary to successfully achieve quality learning outcomes in their program of study. The ASPIRE
Program will create and maintain a learning environment of like-minded students that will support
me in achieving my personal and academic goals in my program of study.
    1. In all areas of college life, I understand that I bear responsibility as an ambassador of the
       ASPIRE Program to be seen as a positive role model to others within the local community.
    2. I will endeavour to perform at the highest level across the Global ASPIRE Performance
       Areas.
    3. I will demonstrate grit and determination as I strive towards my goals with the support of my
       parents.
    4. If I do not adhere to the standards of the ASPIRE Program I understand that I may be
       removed from the program and forfeit my entrance fees.

I would like to accept my position to be a part of the Varsity College ASPIRE Program in 2022. I am
aware that by accepting a place, I will agree to adhere to the ASPIRE Expectations and
Commitment to Program Requirements and uphold the values and expectations therein.

Parent Agreement
I understand that the purpose of the ASPIRE Program is to provide my child with a learning
environment that supports and facilitates quality learning outcomes in their program of study. I also
understand an aim of the ASPIRE Program is to ensure that I, as a parent, am supportive of both my
child in the program and of Varsity College. I will, as much as possible, assist my child in maintaining
a high level of commitment in order to successfully achieve quality learning outcomes in their
program of study.

I will commit to the following:
    •   Assist my child in maintaining a high level of attendance in order to maintain learning
        standards.
    •   Actively encourage my child to maintain high standards in all subject areas.
    •   Provide support to my child and the college in adhering to Varsity College policies and
        procedures.
    •   Monitor the completion of homework set.
    •   Where possible and convenient attend Parent Teacher Interview Evenings
    •   Maintain open lines of communication with the college to ensure success for my child.
    •   Meet all financial commitments as outlined during the application process (please note all
        ASPIRE fees are non-refundable)

Signed: _____________________________              ________________________________
                (Parent)                                                  (Student)