A black and white soccer ball on grass with the word 'Football' written on a semi-transparent brown overlay.

Football Academy Program

Program Overview

In 2018 Maribyrnong Sports Academy became the first and only “FFA High Performance Football School” in Victoria.

The purpose of High Performance Football Schools (HPFS),is to provide potentially talented players aged 14 to 18, who have been identified as potential national team players, with additional training to support them in reaching their football potential. The HPFS supplements the development undertaken at clubs and NTC programs. 

The Football Program is a select entry program, delivering opportunities for talented footballers to balance both their sporting and academic pursuits in an "athlete friendly" environment. In addition to a Year’s 7-12 academic program students are involved in a Technical Football Program and a comprehensive High Performance Preparation Program.

Training Sessions

The Program has been designed to develop a training schedule to assist elite youth football players in their pathway towards State, National and International representation.

Student-athletes have access to strength and conditioning, injury prevention programs, sports science, nutrition, match analysis, sport psychology and physiotherapy.  

A female soccer player in a blue uniform dribbling a soccer ball on a field during practice, with other players standing in the background.
A virtual profile card of Adrian Mazzarella, a head football coach, with a professional photo of him in a dark jacket with a team logo, against a blue background with yellow accents. The card lists coaching achievements, including coaching titles and affiliations.
A young male soccer player with dark skin and curly hair practicing on a soccer field, wearing a blue uniform with yellow and red accents, black knee-high socks, and black cleats, preparing to kick a soccer ball near yellow agility hurdles, with two other individuals in the background observing.
A digital graphic image featuring the title 'Coaches' and a list of coaching staff members for a sports team. The list includes Adrian Zahra, with details of his playing career and coaching credentials, Brody Crane's coaching background and experience, and Camila Fresneda's role as Football Victoria Coach Education Administrator and head coach of Heidelberg United U15s.