The Bendigo Pioneers Football Club will be given unprecedented access to its players during school hours under a new partnership announced with Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
From next year the specialised program will allow Pioneers coaches and staff to meet with players three times a week during school time to develop their football and life skills.
BSSC program manager Paul Seery said the students involved would be monitored, with feedback given to parents and the Pioneers.
“The program will cater to the academic and sporting aspirations of the students,” Seery said.
“It will support the boys with their football by giving the club access to the boys during the school day, which we’ve never done before.
“We’ll individually tailor their timetable to make sure we look after the academic side as well.
“The key is the fact we’re balancing their academic aspirations and their football, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
Bendigo Pioneers’ catchment zone extends from Kyneton to Mildura and Seery said the program would give parents outside of Bendigo greater insight to how their children are performing at school and at football.
The program will devote time on Monday mornings to recovery sessions and performance reviews from the previous weekend’s match, while Thursday and Friday afternoons will focus on technical skills.
