Specialist Australian Rules Football Program
The Wanneroo Secondary College Specialist Australian Football Program is designed to provide male and female students with ongoing development in the skills and attributes needed to play Australian Rules Football. The program aims to develop each student’s individual strength of character and personal skills which are essential in emerging as leaders, both on and off the field as well as within the College.
Wanneroo Secondary College has a strong reputation in the football community. The program is one of a select few endorsed by both the Department of Education and the West Australian Football Commission. In addition, we have strong links with the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers and West Perth Football Clubs which provides students with many outstanding opportunities in community football.
We are committed to providing students with the highest standard of coaching and teaching by expertly qualified and experienced staff and provides players with a holistic footballing education including pathways post school.
What’s Involved
- Timetabled classes
- Year 7: 2 classes per week
- Year 8-10: 4 classes per week
- Upper School: VET & ATAR pathways
- Inter-School matches
- Coaching & Umpiring courses
- After school competitions and tournaments
- Year 7 Victory Athletic Cup
- Year 8/9 Eagles Cup
- Year 7-9 Dockers Cup
- Senior Boys Squad
- Senior Girls Squad
- Day carnivals
- Pre-season matches
- Strength & Conditioning with Athletic Institute
- Intrastate & Interstate Football Camps
- Stadium Tours
- Various day trips to primary schools, gym, beach sessions, ECU & many more.
Player development is important to us, so our program is designed to complement participation in community football, WAFL Club Development Programs and/or State 15’s/16’s and 18’s Program.
Tours
Being a part of the Wanneroo Secondary College Specialist AFL Program gives students insider access and exclusive opportunities in the football community here in Perth and the Home of Football, Melbourne.
Our Melbourne Tour involves attending AFL games, MCG and Marvel Stadium Tours, AFL training sessions and AFL facility tours. Our itinerary varies each year but is always packed with amazing and once-of-a-lifetime opportunities. Highlights include AFL Club seminars, all access training tours, access to current day players & attending the ANZAC Day Clash.
Tours and Camps to various regional centres including Bunbury, Pinjarra and Dwellingup give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to travel for football. On tours and camps, students play scheduled games against the regional school or academy, in addition take part in fitness training and testing, high performance coaching, skill drills, team building, goal setting exercises and leadership development sessions.
The Coaches
Mr Tom Moscarda
- AFL Coach/Teacher at Wanneroo SC (2012 – present)
- WA Secondary AFL Ambassador of the Year (2016 – 2018)
- Gold Coast Suns Football Club scout- (2023)
- Level 2 AFL Accredited Coach
- Level 1 AFL Kicking Accreditation
- West Perth Development 14’s Assistant Coach (2014)
- West Perth Development 14’s & 15’s Head Coach (2015-2016)
- West Perth 16’s Assistant Coach (2017)
- State 15’s School Boys Assistant Coach (2016 – 2022)
- State 15’s Boys Head Coach (2023)
- West Perth Colts Assistant Coach (2018 – 2021)
- Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) coach (2020& 2021)
- Playing Career: Claremont FC Development squad, Subiaco FC colts and reserves, Burracoppin (Player/Coach) and Wembley FC.
Mr Brad McCallum
- AFL Coach/Teacher at Wanneroo SC (2019 – present)
- Previously coached AFL at Ballajura CC & Central Midlands SHS
- Level 2 Umpire
- WAAFL / PFL umpire (2010 – present)
- WAAFL Umpire of the Year (2015)
- WAAFL Grand final umpire (2015 & 2018)
- Playing Career: Hamersley Carine AFC, Moora Rovers
Mr Scott Minchin
- AFL Coach/Teacher at Wanneroo SC (2015 – present)
- Level 2 AFL Accredited Coach
- Level 1 AFL Kicking Accreditation
- West Perth Football District Emerging Markets Development Officer (2011 – 2014)
- West Perth Development 14’s Assistant Coach (2013, 2015 & 2017)
- West Perth Development 15’s, Assistant Coach (2016)
- West Perth Development 16’s Assistant Coach (2017)
- State 12’s Assistant Coach (2018 – present)
- State 15s Assistant Coach (2022)
- Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) coach (2020)
- Playing Career: Beverley FC
Mr Damian Verazzi
- AFL Coach/Teacher at Wanneroo SC (2012 – present)
- Level 2 AFL Accredited Coach
- Head Coach West Coast Amateurs A-Grade Women’s (2017 – 2021)
- West Perth Assistant 14’s Development Coach (2018 – 2019)
- West Perth Assistant Futures Development Coach (2019 – 2020)
- Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) coach (2020)
- Playing Career: Claremont Colts, University FC, West Coast AFC (2017-2023)
Miss Carla Vidovich
- AFL Coach/Teacher at Wanneroo SC (2023)
- Level 1 AFL Accredited Foundation
- Stirling Saints Year 7/8 Head Coach (2017 – 2018)
- WA PFL State Team Vice Captain (2023)
- WA PFL State Team (2022)
- Playing Career: Bassendean FC (2022- present), Swan Districts FC (2021), Northhampton FC (2019), Subiaco Lions Reserves (2015-2018)
How to Apply
Intake is at Years 7 , 8 , 9 and 10 and school boundaries do not apply, the trial and application process is open to students living anywhere in Western Australia.
STEP 1: Trial Registration
Registrations for our Australian Football Specialist Program Trials open in March and close end of April each year. In Area applicants need to complete a Specialist Program Application form and a General Enrolment form to register for the trial process. Out of Area applicants need to complete a Specialist Program Application form and an Application to Enrol form to register for the trial process.
STEP 2: Trial Participation
Shortly after the registration process closes, all applicants are emailed a designated trial timeslot for the day. The trials are conducted at Wanneroo Secondary College during which each students’ skills are assessed. The selection process is detailed, and the selectors’ decision is final. All applicants are advised via email of the outcome of their trial session.
STEP 3: Offer of Placement
Students who are successful in their trial are advised via email. Relevant information regarding enrolment in the program for the following year is posted out including uniform purchase details and upcoming information/orientation sessions.
STEP 4: Acceptance of Placement
A reply email serves as official acceptance of the offer of placement in the program.
For all enquiries regarding the Australian Football Specialist Program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Tom Moscarda via email: thomas.moscarda@education.wa.edu.au