Program Overview
The aim of our program is to develop our athletes fundamentals, game sense, education of the game and life skills in a safe and caring learning environment. Our program supports athletes to provide a pathway towards NAB League, VFL/W and AFL/W.
Training Program
Two double sessions a week, which equals to 3 hours a week which includes a variety of learning. The athletes focus on fundamentals, game sense, decision making, developing strategies and goal setting to enhance their performance. Video analysis and analysing their own performance is also incorporated to benefit all. Throughout the year, we invite guest speakers and take our athletes off site to gain experiences at various high performance venues.
Coaches
Christina Polatajko - Christina has been an educator for over 10 years and has been involved within the game for over 15 years as a player and coach. She holds a Level 2 and currently completing a Level 3 Coach AFL Accreditation. Christina has coached two senior women's premierships at VU Western Spurs (NFNL), backline coach at Carlton VFLW and current assistant coach/backline at Hawthorn Football Club VFLW. She supports all and ensures our players develop lifelong skills which can be translated into every day life. Christina brings passion, care and commitment towards the program, always looking to be innovative to create engagement and learning.
- Head Coach Youth Girls Cup - Western Team
- Head Coach 2006 - 2009 Youth Girls St Albans
- Assistant Coach Div 1 2016 VU Western Spurs
- Head Coach Div 2 2017 & 2018 VU Western Spurs
- Head Coach Div 1 2019 VU Western Spurs
- Assistant Coach 2019/2020 Carlton VFLW
- Assistant Coach 2021/2022 Hawthorn VFLW
Shae Audley -
Shae has played the game of AFL for 18 years. She started her football journey at a junior level at Hurstbridge Football Club, playing under 11s, 12s and 13s. Shae then played seniors at Diamond Creek Womans Football Club, playing in the 2012 Premiership Team. She lived out a childhood dream when she was drafted by Carlton Football Club with their sixth pick in 2017. She played 16 games over 3 seasons at the highest level and was also selected to be part of the Carlton AFLW Leadership Team. Shae then moved to Essendon Football Club’s VFL team in 2019.
Shae has been an AFL coach with the Diamond Valley Academy since 2019 and has her Level 2 Coach Accreditation. She has seen the growth of our AFL and AFLW athletes throughout the years and is motivated to continue to assist the students progress with their skill and fitness levels and overall development as professional athletes and respectful people. Shae’s aim for the program is to have every student achieve their own sporting and personal goals and be able to feel that amazing sense of reward and success for the hard work that they will be putting in over the year.