ON-DEMAND COURSES

The Certificate in the Business of Australian Football is a comprehensive course designed to equip aspiring professionals with the knowledge and skills required to excel in various roles within the AFL industry.

  • Module 1: Master Talent Identification and Recruiting:
    Gain the skills to evaluate players, identify potential, analyse performances, and make informed decisions about talent.

  • Module 2: Learn the Foundations of AFL List Management
    Understand how to structure, analyse, and manage team lists, balance drafting needs, and negotiate contracts effectively, including understand the AFL Soft Cap, total player payments, collective bargaining agreements, and trade period processes.

  • Module 3: How to Lead and Manage Football Departments:
    Learn to oversee operations, high-performance programs, budgets, and risk management while integrating men’s and women’s programs.

  • Module 4: How to Succeed as a Player Agent
    Build expertise in player representation, including stakeholder management, contract negotiation, and marketing professional services.


Master the skills required to identify, evaluate, and recruit football talent. Learn the fundamentals of player profiling, match reporting, and assessing undervalued talent, while understanding the pathways to a career in recruiting. Get industry-focused training to take your expertise to the next level.

  • Module 1: Understand the Fundamentals of Talent Identification:
    Learn how to evaluate players, analyse their performances, and identify traits that define potential stars.

  • Module 2: Recruiting Strategies
    Develop skills to create detailed player profiles by assessing physical, technical, and mental attributes. Build your expertise in writing effective match reports and analysing game performances to inform recruitment decisions.

  • Module 3: Decision Making and Analysis
    Gain insights into spotting hidden gems and recognising opportunities to maximise team potential. Learn how to evaluate a player’s off-field character, decision-making abilities, and overall fit for team culture.

  • Module 4: Career Planning and Pathways
    Learn the pathways to become an AFL recruiter

MASTERS PROGRAM

By enrolling in the Master of Australian Football program, you get access to ALL Apogee Sports courses.

This comprehensive program combines all of our course offerings into a single, powerful package designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to excel in the AFL industry.

  • All Apogee Sports Courses over 12 months:
    You’ll get access to both On-Demand courses, as well as all Accelerator courses across the course of the year. More information below.

  • Access to Industry Experts
    During your completion of the course, you’ll have access to our instructors to ask any questions that you may have about the industry and content.

  • Simple Online Access
    All our content can be accessed at the click of a button 24/7 and we have 6 month payment options available. You’ll also get a copy of all course material and recordings of Accelerator sessions following completion.

  • Career Support:
    During and after completing a course, you’ll receive a free career advisory call to help you map out the next steps of your career through networking and job applications..

  • Exclusive Events:
    You’ll receive invitations to exclusive events throughout the 12 month period where you can meet new people in the industry.

  • Merchandise:
    The first drop of Apogee Sports Merch is on it’s way and you’ll receive a piece of merchandise free of charge.

  • Professional Network
    Your network in football is guaranteed to grow through our Accelerator programs and exclusive events over the 12 month period.

ACCELERATORS

The Recruiting and Talent ID Accelerator is a live online program designed to provide real-world insights into the art and science of AFL recruiting. Facilitated by Brad Lloyd, a respected industry expert, this course covers the full recruiting process — from talent spotting to decision-making. You’ll develop practical skills, grow your network, and gain behind-the-scenes knowledge that will fast-track your understanding of how recruiting works in Australian football.

DATES: 11th & 18th February 2026

TIME: 9am–12pm AEDT

METHOD: ONLINE

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One-Time or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Brad Lloyd

The Player Agent Accelerator is a live online course built for those who want to break into, or grow within, the world of AFL player management. Designed and delivered by experienced industry professionals, this course will take you through the essential knowledge and real-world processes involved in being a successful player agent including accreditation, recruitment, negotiation and contract management. Delivered over two online workshops, the course includes networking opportunities, career support and a certificate of completion.

DATES: 13th May & 20th June, 2026

TIME: 9am–12pm AEST

METHOD: ONLINE

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One-Time or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Brad Lloyd

The List Management Accelerator is a live online course designed for aspiring and current professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of AFL list management. Presented by an experienced industry expert, this program provides practical skills and strategic insight into the role of a List Manager. Participants will explore key areas including list structure, strategy, drafting, contracting, and negotiation. This small-group course is delivered over two live sessions and includes access to instructors, industry networking, and a shareable certificate upon completion.

DATES: 13th & 20th August, 2025

TIME: 9am–12pm AEST

METHOD: ONLINE

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One-Time or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Brad Lloyd

Managing and Leading a Club Football Department is a live online Accelerator course designed for those looking to build a career in AFL club football management. Delivered over two engaging online workshops, this course provides practical knowledge and real-world insight into how football departments are structured and led. Participants will explore core areas such as high performance programs, football operations, wellbeing, budgeting, and working with the media. You’ll connect with like-minded professionals, gain clarity on what it takes to lead a football program, and walk away with a certificate you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

DATES: 5th & 12th November, 2025

TIME: 9am–12pm AEST

METHOD: ONLINE

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One-Time or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Brad Lloyd

The Art of Recruiting is a live online Accelerator course presented by highly respected AFL recruiter Stephen Wells. This course is designed to fast-track your development with targeted, high-impact learning. Participants will gain practical insights into the recruiting process, talent identification, and team structures, while also growing their network and having the chance to ask questions directly.

DATES: 10th & 17th September,2025

TIME: 9am-12pm AEST

METHOD: ONLINE

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One time or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Stephen Wells

The Player Development and Wellbeing Accelerator is presented by Josh McCahon, Football Operations Manager at the Hawthorn Football Club. This course provides practical knowledge and skills for those working with or aspiring to support athlete wellbeing and development. Participants will gain deep insight into the Player Development Manager role, learn how to design effective strategies and engage with industry peers in a small group setting.

DATES: 15th & 22nd October, 2025 (Runs Once Annually)

TIME: 9am-12pm AEST

METHOD: Online via Zoom

POSITIONS: 20

INVESTMENT: One time Payment or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months

FACILITATOR: Josh McCahon

2025 ACCELERATOR CALENDAR

OUR ALUMNI WORK AT

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

BRAD LLOYD

EXPERIENCED AFL ADMINISTRATOR

STEPHEN WELLS

LONG TIME RECRUITER AND LIST MANAGER

RYAN WALKER

GENERAL MANAGER - APOGEE SPORTS

FAQs

  • While completing this course is an important step in enhancing your qualifications, it does not guarantee a job. However, we always recommend that you actively seek out any form of work in your chosen industry to build your experience and network. Gaining practical experience, even in entry-level or volunteer positions, can significantly increase your chances of landing your desired job. Additionally, continuing your professional development through courses like this and others will keep you competitive in the job market. Combining your education with hands-on experience and a strong professional network is often the most effective strategy for securing employment.

  • The duration of the course varies depending on your personal pace and availability. The quickest completion time we’ve seen is 3 days, but that participant was likely very dedicated, working late into the night! Most people prefer to work through the material over the course of a month or two, balancing the course with other commitments. Since the course is self-paced, you have the flexibility to progress at a speed that suits your lifestyle and learning style. Whether you want to complete it quickly or take your time to absorb the material thoroughly, the choice is entirely yours.

  • There is no strict time limit imposed on completing the course, allowing you to learn at your own pace. However, we do suggest aiming to finish within a year to ensure you benefit fully from the content while it remains up-to-date. In rare cases where we decide to remove a course or significantly update it, we may implement a one-year limit to ensure that all participants can complete the course while it's still available. Rest assured, we will provide ample notice if any changes that affect course availability are planned.

  • Yes, you will receive a certificate upon successfully completing the course. This certificate serves as a formal recognition of your achievement and can be a valuable addition to your professional portfolio. It demonstrates your commitment to ongoing education and your dedication to advancing your knowledge and skills in your field. Many of our participants find that the certificate enhances their credibility when pursuing new opportunities or advancing in their current roles.