A passion for sport is helping drive student engagement and learning at St Patrick’s College Ballarat, where specialist AFL and Basketball subjects have enjoyed a highly successful first semester.
Introduced for Year 10 students in 2026, the subjects are the only dedicated AFL and Basketball curriculum offerings of their kind in Ballarat. Demand has been so strong that the application process was highly competitive, with the College already exploring opportunities to expand the program in 2027 and beyond.
The AFL subject builds on the success of the Liam Duggan Academy, established at the College in 2023, while the Basketball subject was developed following the success of the College’s United States Basketball Tour in December 2024 and the continued growth of basketball within the school community.
Led by Head of Sport Jason Lappin (AFL) and VCE Physical Education teacher Jarrod Fryar (Basketball)—both highly credentialed former players and coaches—the subjects combine practical skill development with classroom learning, covering areas such as sports psychology, performance analysis, leadership, strength and conditioning, recovery and wellbeing.
Students embrace Specialist Sport program
Mr Lappin said the early success of the program reflected by the enthusiasm of students and the College’s commitment to innovation.
“This program has given students a genuine opportunity to learn the game at a deeper level while also developing as people,” he said.
“We are seeing students engaged in analysis, training methods, leadership and preparation in a way that goes well beyond traditional sport participation. The standard of effort and application has been outstanding, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how quickly the students have embraced it.”
Deputy Principal – Academic Culture Carol Roberts said the programs were designed to support students in an area many are deeply passionate about.
“So many of our boys love their sport and we developed this program as a way of further supporting their passion through a curriculum dedicated to sporting excellence,” Ms Roberts said.
“The program helps students lift the bar in terms of their skill, performance and gameplay, while also recognising that many are interested in pursuing post-school pathways in the sporting industry.
“It is a way of nurturing their passion for sport while opening their eyes to the many career opportunities that exist within such a dynamic and exciting field.”
Holistic learning experience for students
Importantly, selection is not based solely on sporting ability. Students must demonstrate strong effort, behaviour and commitment across all aspects of College life to earn a place in the classes.
For Year 10 student Jules Stephen, the AFL subject has been one of the highlights of the year.
“I absolutely loved the AFL class,” he said.
“We came together as a team and learned so much more than just football skills. We studied sports psychology, analysed game footage, learned recovery techniques and trained in the gym like footballers.
“It has definitely strengthened my game, but it was also a lot of fun. I’d encourage younger students to give it a go because you learn a lot and really enjoy the experience.”
Providing pathways for elite athletes
Mr Fryar said the Basketball subject reflected the growing success of the College’s elite basketball program, which competed at the NBA Rising Stars Qualifiers earlier this year.
“The recent success of St Patrick’s College basketballers such as Lucas Byrne and Ned Renfree, who have represented Australia at junior level, has also encouraged the creation of the specialised basketball curriculum,” Mr Fryar said.
“These subjects are not only pathways for elite athletes but also provide valuable insights into the world of elite sport and the many career opportunities available within the sporting industry.”
Learn more about the Specialist Sport program here.
