29 November 2024
We currently offer a Years 5-12 Melbourne Victory Performance School Program (Yirramboi Sports Oval, Thursdays before school) and a Years 1-6 Football Centre (Canowindra Soccer Pitch, Saturday mornings). We also host a Melbourne Victory Pre-Academy Program (Saturday afternoons), which is an invitation-only offer for developing talent from Overnewton and the wider community.
In addition, Melbourne Victory coaches will lead all 1st grade soccer teams during Overnewton’s interschool program (ACS and 5/6 Sport). Where possible, friendlies, excursions, interschool and representative matches will be scheduled into Bye Rounds.
Overnewton College became Melbourne Victory’s exclusive Performance School partner in 2022.
The Victory Performance School Program is designed to encourage Overnewton students who love football and are keen to develop their football skills and tactical knowledge to join the 2025 program.
As students are of varying ages and in different stages of their football development, there will be instances where students are streamed into ability-based groupings. Selection for tournaments will be on merit, ability and behaviour.
Students who are not formally enrolled in the program may be selected for 1st grade interschool teams but will not be eligible for exclusive on and off the pitch opportunities, including travel.
Yes. All students, new and returning, will need to register for the 2025 program. Students who enrolled in the 2024 program will be asked to reconfirm their interest to remain in the program.
It is encouraged that interested students attend the 'Meet the coaches' sessions on 20 & 27 February, 2025 to experience the sessions and confirm your interest in the offer. At the conclusion of the trials, students will have the option to confirm or withdraw their interest.
Please register for the 2025 Program here
Melbourne Victory Academy coaches will lead nineteen 60-minute training sessions across the school year. The sessions will be held on the Yirramboi Campus Sports Oval and take place on selected Thursday mornings (before school) on the following dates:
Term 1 – February 20, 27 ('Meet the coaches' sessions), March 20, 27 and April 3
Term 2 – May 15, 22, 29 and June 5
Term 3 – Aug 21, 28 and Sept 4,11
Term 4 – Oct 16, 23, 30 and Nov 6, 13, 20
In addition, Melbourne Victory coaches will lead all 1st grade Soccer teams during Overnewton’s interschool program.
Students should arrive by 7.10am so that sessions can commence at 7.20am sharp.
It is encouraged that interested students attend the 'Meet the coaches' sessions on 20 & 27 February. This is also an opportunity for Melbourne Victory and College coaches to meet students and begin creating ability-based groupings. This information will help to inform future planning and define our coaching requirements for the year.
The trials double as an opportunity for students to confirm their interest in the program, meet some of the coaches and other players, and view the size range of the Macron uniform.
The Head Coach of the Overnewton Program is Tom Paton. Tom is an experienced coach, working across Melbourne Victory’s Football Pathways, including the Club’s Pre-Academy as a lead coach. Tom will work closely with the Club’s Football Department to help tailor Melbourne Victory’s Academy methodology to the needs of our students.
Tom, alongside Melbourne Victory staff, will mentor other coaches including Melbourne Victory Academy and Community Coaches, Overnewton Old Collegians and staff in his role.
Licenced coaches, Harley Hamdani (A-League Women’s Assistant Coach / Community Football Manager - Pathways) and Gareth Turnbull (A-League Women’s Assistant Coach / Football Pathways Manager), are just some of the coaches who will attend selected morning sessions.
Returning students should wear their Macron football uniform to meet this year's coaches. New students to the College / Program can wear their football kit of choice. At the conclusion of training, students need to change into their correct uniform for the school day (academic or sport - depending on their timetable). Students should not arrive late to class.
A full range of samples will be available for viewing at the first trials on 20 & 27 February, 2025 and will be located in the Middle School foyer during Term 1. It is strongly recommended that parents take the opportunity to view the garments and fit your child prior to placing the online order as branded garments cannot be easily exchanged. All uniform orders will be processed online here and posted directly to your home address.
In collaboration with our apparel partner Macron, we have added a backpack to our range. This backpack can be utilised as a substitute to the College Sports Bag. It features a boot compartment at the base. To view this item click here
We expect that students within this program will embrace the opportunity to proudly represent both Overnewton and Melbourne Victory as program ambassadors. As such, the approved parameters of wear will permit students to wear the Macron quarter zip jacket in place of the College Sports Jacket, or Year 12 Jumper, with sports uniform on their nominated sport day.
Year 7 – Tuesdays
Years 10 – 12 – Wednesdays
Years 8 & 9 – Thursdays
Years 5 & 6 – Fridays
Under no circumstances can the jersey, shorts or socks be worn after the conclusion of Thursday morning training (or during school hours) as this is both a breach of the permitted uniform and unhygienic. Uniform infringements will be issued for breaches. The College sports polo shirt must be worn underneath the quarter zip jacket if paired with the sports uniform.
Extended parameters of wear will be permitted for football-related excursions, tournaments and special events at the direction of the Head of Co-Curriculum. This will be stipulated on excursion forms for these events and activities.
A light breakfast will be incorporated as an ‘optional extra’ within the 2025 Performance Program Program Levy. The breakfast offer will consist of one toasted sandwich and one juice box and will be provided to students upon the conclusion of before-school training programs. For students who decline the breakfast offer as part of their initial enrolment, it is recommended that they bring a snack with them to consume post session.
Year 9 students will be transported to Canowindra by intercampus bus at the conclusion of training.
Talent Development: At the core of the Performance Program at Overnewton, is Melbourne Victory’s focus on improving the individual player. Training sessions are designed to improve players across each of the key areas of the game (technically, tactically, physically and psychologically), with players grouped by age and ability levels, ensuring a competitive and enjoyable training environment.
Talent Identification: Another key element of this program is talent identification. While experienced and highly qualified coaches from Melbourne Victory will attend sessions throughout the year, it is the coaches working with players each week who will understand players best. Players who are displaying positive attributes, both in terms of their football qualities and attitude (regular attendance, always showing respect and willingness to learn and improve), may have the unique opportunity to participate in a training block with Melbourne Victory’s academy. This is across both the Club’s male and female player pathways. There is no guarantee that any player has this opportunity, but by working with Victory coaches on a regular basis, Overnewton students will have an advantage over others - should players be performing to a high standard, consistently, then these unique opportunities will be presented.
MVFC’s Academy Player Pathway:
MVFC’s training block opportunities for Performance School students:
One key objective of our program is to give talented and committed Overnewton footballers the best opportunity to be talent identified and achieve a place in an A-League academy side or elite player program. Since our program launched in 2022, ten Overnewton students have achieved this feat at one of the three Melbourne-based A-League Clubs.
Additionally, a further ten students have earned a place in a Melbourne Victory pre-academy program, which is the feeder program to the Academy and A-League Women Pathway Program offers.
The Years 1-6 Community Football Centre is an offering that takes place on Saturday mornings. Melbourne Victory FC Football Centres, the first step of the Club’s Football Pathway, provides players with a safe, enjoyable, and positive playing environment, open to all children aged 6-12 years.
Working with our Community & Pre-Academy Coaches, Football Centres are the perfect opportunity for those players who aren’t quite ready for Pre-Academy, as well as kids just starting to kick the ball, to build on the foundations of their football skills while training under the same Pre-Academy curriculum and coaching methodology.
The Years 5-12 Performance Program takes place mid-week, comprising of before-school sessions on Thursday mornings and inter-school soccer / futsal sessions. Melbourne Victory coaches lead all 1st grade sides.
Term 1 – February 20, 27 ('Meet the coaches' sessions), March 20, 27 and April 3
Term 2 – May 15, 22, 29 and June 5
Term 3 – Aug 21, 28 and Sept 4, 11
Term 4 – Oct 16, 23, 30 and Nov 6, 13, 20
As part of the ‘Performance School model’ there is a structured plan to reintroduce domestic and international travel opportunities within this program.
We plan to explore a range of options for both tournaments and tours, utilising a range of network contacts.
Melbourne Victory is also a member of the Global Football Alliance, a strategic alliance of 20 non-rival football clubs in 20 countries around the world. This opens up a number of options for the future.
We are excited to share news of our first tour iteration, a 2026 Tour to the United Kingdom, centring around the cities of London, Liverpool and Manchester. View the Tour Itinerary here.
It is a program expectation that students attend as many sessions as possible, however, we understand that illness and injuries do occur.
Notifications for anticipated training absence should be emailed to victory@overnewton.vic.edu.au
Yes, the Program Code of Conduct can be viewed here
Click here to view and purchase the dual-branded Overnewton / Victory ‘Performance School’ uniform. It is the exact shirt that Melbourne Victory A-League and elite teams wore during our foundation year of partnership, with the point of difference being the Overnewton monochrome crest on the left arm.
It is compulsory for students in the program to purchase the bundle (navy shirt, shorts, socks and mid-layer jacket) to wear for the Thursday morning component of the program.
It is an expectation that returning students ensure their program uniform is immaculate, and purchase new or replacement items as required.
Students enrolled in the Saturday Football Centre have the option to purchase the Macron uniform.
Additionally, students selected by Melbourne Victory coaches for Overnewton 1st sides (ACS 7-12 teams) will be loaned a white dual-branded Victory playing shirt to wear for inter-school and representative competition.
The majority of the program costs are heavily subsidised by the College, however, there is a one-off yearly program levy of $280 (incl breakfast) or $200 (no breakfast) for Performance Program students. You will receive an invoice for this levy from Overnewton during Term 1. The reference will be ‘Melbourne Victory Performance Program.’
No. Melbourne Victory and Overnewton College Staff Coaches will make selection decisions for 1st sides based on effort, technical ability and player conduct of all players who trial.
Coaches will continue to monitor the progress and development of players. Students who are initially selected in 2nd sides, can be elevated to 1st sides during the year.
Yes. We offer a range of experiences to male and female players. The type of offerings and timings of offer may be dependent on Melbourne Victory and the seasonality of the ACS competitions.
Off-the-pitch offers may include tours of AAMI Park, offers to fulfil ambassador roles at A-League matches, invitations to appear in promotional videos and invitations to apply for tours and tournaments.
It is anticipated that most of the A-League Match Day experiences will take place later this year.
All students enrolled in the 2025 Overnewton Program will receive a complimentary 3-game membership, giving access to any three home games across the 2024/2025 season.
Additionally, Overnewton students will be invited to exclusively feature on-pitch during the Melbourne Victory A-League Mens match against Central Coast Mariners, on Sunday 8 March, at AAMI Stadium which celebrates our partnership and the growth of the Victory Schools Program.
Please direct all program enquiries to victory@overnewton.vic.edu.au
Published 9 Dec 2021
Overnewton Anglican Community College is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Melbourne Victory Football Club, becoming the first and exclusive pilot school for Melbourne Victory’s Performance School Program.
This exciting football partnership with Melbourne Victory will provide Overnewton students and the Overnewton footballing community with exclusive membership offers, unique A-League experiences, and link talented Overnewton players directly to coaching staff within Melbourne Victory’s Academy.
Through this partnership, Overnewton students from Prep to Year 12 will have access to the Melbourne Victory Performance School Program. Talented players identified within the College program will also receive trial invitations for Melbourne Victory’s Academy and Elite Girls program.
Melbourne Victory coaches will integrate into the Overnewton interschool football program and lead all 1st grade College teams from Years 5-12. Melbourne Victory’s Under 18’s Academy Coach, Andreas Papanicolaou, will coach Overnewton Seniors and oversee the College-wide football program.
Overnewton’s brand new sports oval located at our Yirramboi Campus in Keilor will host Melbourne Victory’s Pre-Academy Program in the region. Offerings will include a Community Football Centre for junior players of all skill levels, and a Pre-Academy Training Centre for selected players who demonstrate the commitment, attitude and development of a future Melbourne Victory player.
Overnewton will also pilot Melbourne Victory health and education programs, and provide coach education and upskilling seminars for College staff.
Overnewton has a long history of developing talented football players and supporting their journey to an elite football pathway. Most recently, Old Collegian and Class of 2020 graduate, Ryan Lethlean, made his footballing debut with Melbourne Victory FC on 24 November 2021, where he converted a penalty and helped his team to victory.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, states, ‘Building an accessible football footprint throughout Melbourne is important to Melbourne Victory. To be able to partner with a school of Overnewton's quality to deliver football is exciting for our club and we trust will have a hugely positive impact on the students and the entire school community.’
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, has said, ‘We are so excited to welcome Overnewton College to the Melbourne Victory family and, in particular, as our first ever Football Performance School.’
Overnewton Head of Co-Curriculum, Nikki Little, has said of the new partnership, ‘I am thrilled and delighted that Overnewton is the first Melbourne Victory Performance school which can offer students as young as five years old the opportunity to learn skills from Melbourne Victory coaches. This exclusive program is another example of how Overnewton is committed to delivering outstanding beyond-the-classroom opportunities for our students.’