From Sports Academy to VET Success: How Patterson River SC Turned Passion into Pathways
When Ando Allan launched the EXCEL Sport program at Patterson River Secondary College in 2017, it began as a one-year sports academy for Year 7 students. Fast-forward seven years, and it’s now a thriving four-year program that blends athletic development with vocational education — and it’s one of the school’s biggest drawcards.
Building a Sporting Legacy
Since its inception, EXCEL Sport has become synonymous with sporting success. “We’ve won 20 State titles over the past seven years in all different sports,” said Allan. In 2024 alone, the program claimed State Championships in Ultimate Frisbee, NRL 9s, Beach Volleyball, and AFL Nines.
This sustained success is no accident. Students selected into the program embark on a structured journey: Years 7–8 focus on invasion sports, Year 9 introduces individual fitness and performance, and Year 10 culminates in a nationally recognised qualification, the Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321).
Integrating VET: From Passion to Certification
Interestingly, VET wasn’t part of the original plan. Allan added the Certificate II in Sport Coaching in 2021 by embedding it into her existing Year 10 coaching curriculum.
“I was covering the coaching content in my pre-existing program anyway” she explained. Because students were already participating in coaching activities, including leading Year 7 sessions, the transition was seamless.
“At the end of the year, all of [the students] expressed that earning a VET Certificate II in Sport Coaching along with a First Aid certificate was a valuable outcome, particularly given that the content aligned closely with what they would have undertaken regardless .”
Overcoming Challenges with Practical Thinking
For Allan, the biggest challenge was meeting the theory requirements of the VET course while maintaining the program’s hands-on approach.
“The theory’s the challenge, I guess,” she reflects. Her solution? Deliver theory through practice.
Instead of only reading about manual handling, students hit the sports field with equipment like gear bags. “We’re just always out utilising the coaching space to deliver that content,” she says.
This approach also reinforces correct language and processes, with students taking ownership and often holding their teacher accountable. “It’s quite humorous… they’ll say, ‘Miss, what are you doing?’ and I say, ‘Ah, very good.’ So, they pick up on it.”
Strong Engagement, Strong Results
Recent improvements in IVET’s course content have also supported student engagement. “This year’s Work Health & Safety content was really good — so much more relevant to Certificate II in Sport Coaching,” said Allan, highlighting the value of up-to-date, context-specific resources.
Since integrating VET into the program, she has seen a 99.5% completion rate — a testament to the alignment between practical learning and formal qualification.
Key Takeaways for Schools and VET Trainers
For schools and trainers looking to implement or strengthen their VET in Schools (VETDSS) programs in Sport Coaching or Sport & Recreation, Allan’s success offers valuable lessons:
- Start with what works: Integrate VET into existing successful programs or school events.
- Keep it practical: Reinforce course language and concepts through real-world activities.
- Be strategic with sessions: Strategically use group coaching to efficiently meet assessment requirements.
- Leverage updated resources: Use current, context-relevant materials to boost engagement.
A Program Students Want to Be Part Of
The demand for EXCEL Sport is undeniable. Each year, 90–100 students trial for just 24 Year 7 places.
As Allan summed it up: “The [Year 10s] get real agency from the coaching and really enjoy the challenges… the course is really good for them.”