Approved Specialist AFL Program
Governor Stirling Senior High School
Students are selected for the Specialist Football Program from Year 7 to 12. Students are able to build on their skills & knowledge with training and organised match play.
The Australian Rules Football Specialist Program provides boys and girls the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge of the game, including aspects such as fitness, umpiring, and sports administration. The program combines expert coaching and skills development with a high-quality curriculum of academic and vocational courses. Games are regularly filmed to provide your child with feedback and enhance their learning experience, helping them grow and develop as footballers and as a team. Students who complete the Australian Rules Football Specialist Program will graduate with a Certificate II in Sport Coaching. Your child will have the opportunity to play games and participate in competitions statewide and travel interstate with tours to Adelaide and Melbourne.
AFL Program Coordinator Bio
James Ewing – AFL Co-ordinator (2025)
It’s an honour to step into the role of AFL Co-ordinator at Governor Stirling Senior High School.
Football has been a lifelong passion for me, both as a player and a coach. I’ve played WAFL football for Peel Thunder, the Perth Demons, and am currently part of the West Coast side. I was also fortunate to train with the Fremantle Dockers during the 2020 and 2021 pre-seasons — experiences that gave me valuable insight into elite-level development, game strategies, and the inner workings of professional programs.
As a coach, I’ve worked with the Penrhos girls’ football team, and in 2023, coached the backline for the Perth Demons Reserves. A major element of this was breaking down game footage and providing individualised feedback to help players grow and refine their skills.
I have a Master of Teaching and a degree in Exercise and Sport Science, which means I understand how to design gym programs that are age-appropriate and focused on long-term development. I’m highly focussed on teaching correct movement patterns first and understanding human movement so that students build their strength safely and with confidence.
My vision for the program is to take it to a more professional level. This includes filming and analysing games so students can identify their own strengths and areas for improvement. Targeting and implementing proper gym programs, and helping players understand what it takes to grow, not just as footballers, but as people.
A major focus for me is to build a stronger culture around behaviour and accountability, both on and off the field. I firmly believe that football can be a motivator and a beacon for young players to grow as athletes and as individuals, to become positive role models within the school and the wider community.
Entry requirements
Entry into the Specialist Program is through a selection process. Students apply directly to the school, you can do so through the online form below. Please provide a copy of the student’s most recent school report and Year 5 NAPLAN results along with any other certificates of achievements and a letter of reference from your Year 6 teacher and sporting club.
Students apply the previous year for entry in the following year (Year 6 for entry in Year 7).
Year 5 students may also register their interest to receive information about future places by contacting the school on (08) 6274 0300.
All applicants complete a physical trial. Round 2 intake is now open; the next trial date is Wednesday, 26 August. Please register your application prior to this date.
Registrations start at 10:00am for a 10:30am trial start time, with an estimated finish time of 12:30pm. All trials are held at Woodbridge Riverside Oval.
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