AFL School Ambassador helping students achieve their goalsTuesday, June 16, 2015 - 1:48 PM

When Cecil Andrews Senior High School teacher Jeremy Bruse was given the opportunity to assist in the formulation of a Specialist Football program he never imagined how much of a positive impact it would have on the students.

Beginning back in 2008, the program offered students in Year 8 to 10 the opportunity to develop skills in playing, coaching and umpiring alongside football-themed literacy and numeracy programs.

Since then it has developed into a program now catering for Year 7 to 10 students, incorporating technology and media into the student’s skill set.

In 2012, through Jeremy’s passion and drive, Cecil Andrews extended their program to Year 11 and 12 students by introducing a Certificate II in Sport and Recreation course. This year Cecil Andrews also has a Clontarf Academy on campus, which uses football as a means of engaging indigenous males in school.

Jeremy’s dedication to his students and young players doesn’t end there. In addition to his full time role as a teacher he has developed a strong relationship with the East Fremantle Football Club where he is now a Development Coach, providing continuity for many of his students within the talent pathway. 

These connections broaden into the wider community through his liaising with community clubs and supporting students at club games.

Jeremy coaches interschool teams in the Eagles Schoolboys Cup and the Schoolboys Redimed Cup competitions, he is an active Woolworths AFL School Ambassador and has arranged for all Year 10 Australian Football students to complete umpiring and coaching accreditations. These skills have been utilised at Fremantle Dockers Shield carnivals, primary school clinics and Eagles Cup games.

There have been many new initiatives at Cecil Andrews SHS, however one of the most impressive is the development of a series of iBooks. 

Jeremy’s Year 10 students used iPads to record and take photos of a variety of weight training exercises. Students combined these with research into training methods and correct technique to create a series of resources for future students wanting to utilise the school’s training facilities.

Jeremy Bruse is one of many dedicated teachers who drive Australian Football programs in schools. They aim to produce future players and also engaged citizens in the community as well. 

Did you know there are over 800 Woolworths AFL School Ambassadors in Western Australia?

To nominate one for their great work in the AFL School Ambassador of the Year Awards CLICK HERE

Photo: Jeremy Bruce, Cecil Andrews SHS, is presented his 2014 award by Kim Hannah from the West Coast Eagles.