The Comet Bay College Australian Football Specialist Program (AFSP), approved by the Department of Education as a Specialist Program and endorsed by the West Australian Football Commission, offers a continuous, high-calibre football development pathway from Years 7 to 12. The program delivers structured learning and talent development for selected students, developing the skills, discipline and attributes required to play Australian Rules Football at the highest level.
Students in the program receive specialised coaching focused on both offensive and defensive skills, advanced strategies and tactics, and the conditioning essential for elite-level play. The curriculum also includes umpiring and coaching training, giving students comprehensive experience within the sport.
Comet Bay College’s AFSP is the first program of its kind established in the Peel Region. The program is open to students from any location, unrestricted by school boundaries, allowing all eligible students to apply and benefit from the program’s commitment to fostering their potential as footballers.
With a structured progression through Years 7, 8, 9, and 10 into Upper School, the AFSP ensures students receive consistent, ongoing development as they strive to reach their individual footballing goals.
Find Your Way Through
Students focus on goal setting and have regular individual reviews to assess their development within the program, with assistance given to reach each selected goal.
The Comet Bay College Australian Football Specialist Program invites talented players to participate each year through trials.
Australian Football Specialist Program Intake Process
STEP 1: Trial Registration
Registrations for our Australian Football Specialist Program Trials traditionally open in Term 3 of each year. There is a separate form for boys and girls, and registrations are only possible via this online process. Late Registrations are not possible.
STEP 2: Trial Participation
The week after the registration process closes, all applicants are emailed a designated trial timeslot for the day. The trials are conducted at Comet Bay 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. Due to the high volume of students involved, individual feedback cannot be provided to students not offered a position.
STEP 3: Offer of Placement
Students who are successful in their trial are advised via email, and will be sent a Football Specialist Program Enrolment Pack, containing all relevant information regarding enrolment in the program. The pack includes uniform purchasing details, upcoming information sessions and more.
STEP 4: Acceptance of Placement in the Program
Upon receipt of all relevant documents requested as part of the Enrolment Pack, the student’s enrolment will be processed. Submission of the Enrolment Pack serves as acceptance of the offer of placement in the program.
A deposit is required at the time of acceptance to secure placement in the program, with the full cost payable prior to students commencing the program each year.
For all enquiries regarding the Australian Football Specialist Program, please contact the Program Coordinator, email hidden; JavaScript is required.
By continuing with the registration process you acknowledge and accept the following:
- Registrations lodged/received after the cut-off are not accepted.
- Comet Bay College does not accept liability for personal computer or device malfunctions, use of incompatible browsers, lost correspondence or applications that arrive after the closing date.
- Please do not register a child more than once as this slows down the Administrative process.
- All communication to families will be via email only.
- The selection of students for the program is always a very difficult task with a high number of skilled applicants applying annually. Individuals are carefully evaluated in a detailed trial process and, as such, selection decisions are final.
- Individual feedback cannot be provided to students not offered a position in the program.
Girls Trials Registration
Trials for the 2026 AFSP Girls will open in Term 3
Boys Trials Registration
Trials for the 2026 AFSP Boys will open in Term 3
Coaching Staff
The teaching and coaching staff of the Comet Bay College Australian Football Specialist Program are highly qualified, holding Level 2 and 3 coaching certifications and bringing extensive WAFL playing and coaching experience. Each staff member is a local resident, dedicated not only to fostering the skills of young footballers but also to shaping responsible, engaged community members, with a shared commitment to the long-term success of the program. Many staff hold or have held coaching roles with Peel Thunder Football Club, either as Head Coach or Assistant Coach for the Development Squad Academy Program, WAFL Colts, and the AFL WA Talent Academy.
Staff members frequently attend students’ community football games, where they make detailed observations and provide constructive feedback aligned with each player’s development goals.
Pre-Season Camps, Regional Tours and Melbourne Tours
Throughout the program, students participate in a range of camp and tour activities designed to enrich their football experience. In Years 7, 8, and 9, players attend pre-season camps at various locations, including Point Walter, Nanga Bush Camp, and Ern Halliday.
In Year 10, students embark on an annual tour to different regional centres, where they play a series of matches, gain first-hand experience of “traveling for football,” and engage with the cultural and historical highlights of each destination.
In Years 11 and 12, senior students travel to Melbourne to immerse themselves in the rich history of Australian Football at its birthplace. While on tour, they join the crowd at a Friday night AFL game, attend additional matches on Saturday and Sunday, tour the iconic MCG, and explore the National Sports Museum and the Shrine of Remembrance. The trip is filled with unique experiences, offering students a deeper connection to the sport and its heritage.
Facilities
The facilities at the Comet Bay College Australian Football Specialist Program are state-of-the-art, setting the benchmark for school football programs across the region. Students benefit from a dedicated fitness gymnasium and a players' lounge, specifically designed to support their physical and strategic development.
Students have access to a variety of advanced sports science equipment, including heart rate monitors that track and graph their performance during training sessions, as well as GPS systems. They regularly undergo fitness and conditioning tests to identify their strengths and target areas for improvement. Additionally, students are frequently filmed during games and training sessions, allowing for detailed analysis to correct skill errors and further enhance their technique.
The Program
The Australian Football Specialist Program places a strong emphasis on goal setting, with each participant receiving regular, individualised one-on-one reviews to assess their progress within the program. Students are provided with consistent support and guidance to help them achieve each of their personal goals.
The program includes comprehensive weights conditioning and boxing, along with advanced sports science equipment, providing an environment that encourages peak athletic performance. These resources are designed to support students as they build strength, agility, and resilience.
The Program has strong formal links with the Fremantle Football Club and Peel Thunder Football Club, and is the only school program in WA with this level of support. The Program also regularly liaises with and is endorsed by the West Australian Football Commission. Each of these partnerships provide students with further opportunities to engage with AFL and WAFL coaching staff, which enhances their development as both footballers and responsible, community-connected youths.
The program is structured to complement, rather than conflict with, community football teams, WAFL Club Development Programs, or WA Representation Pathway Programs. It enhances player development by focusing on individual and team skills in a smaller group setting.
