Melbourne's Junior Football Development Specialists Since 2010
Give Your Junior Footballer The Summer That Changes Next Season
The Elite Summer Training Program is Australia's original off season development program — now in its 32nd edition, with more than 7,700 junior footballers through it and alumni playing AFL and AFLW today. Across weekly age specific squad sessions at 8 Melbourne venues, your child trains with coaches whose experience spans AFL club academies and representative pathways, building the skills, game sense and confidence to make next season their best yet. The 2026 program starts November 10 and places at each venue are limited.
Trusted by 23,000+ Melbourne families since 2010
250+ junior clubs engaged across Victoria
30+ five star Google reviews
Alumni now playing AFL and AFLW
8 venues across metro Melbourne
"To me, this is a great opportunity for young footballers."
— Kevin Sheedy, AFL Hall of Fame
Apply For The 2026 Program
Applications take two minutes. Places at each venue are limited.
Trusted Families
Trusted by 23,000+ Melbourne families since 2010
Junior Clubs
250+ junior clubs engaged across Victoria
Google Reviews
Five star Google reviews
OFFER / 2026 PROGRAM
Register By November 3 And The Bonuses Stack Up
Successful applicants do not just get a place in the program — they get the full 2026 package. Register before November 3 and your child is invited to a bonus Skills and Game Sense session before the program even begins. Every registered player trains under the unlimited venue policy: attend any other DFS training location for extra sessions at no added cost, all summer. Between sessions, online skills training with DFS coaches keeps development moving from home. Every player receives their training singlet free with registration. And registered families unlock the optional extras at close to half price: the Personal Video Kicking Analysis and the individualised Christmas Training Program, each $85 instead of their $149 value. Places at each of the 8 venues are limited and the program starts November 10.
Early Bird Bonus Session
Register by November 3
Unlimited Training
Any venue, no added cost
Online Skills Training
Included
Free Training Singlet
With registration
Optional Extras
At $85 each (valued at $149)
The Program Behind 925 Rep Squad Selections
Parents do not enrol in promises — they enrol in track records. Across 32 editions of the Elite Summer Training Program: 925 players have gone on to make their inter league representative squad, 586 have trialled with TAC Cup and NAB League development squads, and 78 have represented Victoria at the National Championships.
DFS alumni now playing at the highest level include Sam Darcy and Nick Coffield (Western Bulldogs and St Kilda), Nate Caddy and Jade Gresham (Essendon), Hugo Garcia and Anthony Caminiti (St Kilda), Shaun Mannagh (Geelong), Louise Stephensen (Hawthorn) and Brooke Lochland — players who did the same drills, at the same program, your child is applying for.
925
Rep squad selections
586
Talent pathway trials
78
Victorian representatives
7,700+
Program graduates
How The 2026 Elite Summer Training Program Works
Weekly training runs in two age specific pathways so every player trains in their own squad: the Junior Pathway for players born 2015 to 2017, and the Senior Pathway for players born 2011 to 2014. Sessions run at 8 metro venues — Ascot Vale, Box Hill, Caulfield, Chadstone, Greensborough, Essendon East Keilor, Hawthorn and South Morang — so most Melbourne families have a location close to home, and the unlimited training bonus means registered players can attend any of them. The program commences November 10.
01
Weekly Squad Training
High intensity weekly sessions in age specific squads, testing your child against like minded, committed players in a challenging but rewarding environment led by experienced development coaches.
02
Match Day Finale
A match day experience that mirrors representative team trials — coached by a DFS Head Coach, playing with and against talented players, putting the summer's learning into performance under pressure.
03
AFL Draft Combine Testing
Speed over 20 metres, the AFL agility test, vertical leap and the yo yo endurance test — the same testing conditions AFL draftees face, run by DFS strength and conditioning staff, with results that feed the optional individualised Christmas program.
04
Player Jamboree
Players from all 8 venues come together with special guest coaches for skills, friendly competition and team activities — a celebration of the game with talented players from across the state.
05
Holistic Development
Off field sessions with industry experts across sports psychology, nutrition for young athletes, and safe social media use — the areas that separate good juniors from complete ones.
COACHING TEAM
Coaches With AFL Club Academies On Their Resumes
Adrian Talarico
Founder and Director of Coaching
One of Australia's most experienced junior development coaches. Head Coach and Program Manager roles across junior pathways at Collingwood, St Kilda and North Melbourne, four years full time with AFL Victoria powerhouse programs Northern Knights and Calder Cannons, and coaching at AFL and Coates League representative level.
Michael Talbot
Head of Football Development
Currently Collingwood's AFL Next Generation Girls Academy Head Coach, with recruiting experience at Fremantle, a Masters of Sports Science (Football Performance), and development study at Real Madrid's youth academy.
Adam Veli
Head of Strength and Conditioning
High Performance Manager at the Essendon Football Club Next Generation Academy, with elite roles spanning AFLW, VFL, the Victorian Institute of Sport, AFL National Talent umpires and Cricket Victoria.
PROBLEM
Club Footy Alone Will Not Get Them There
Local clubs are the heart of junior footy, but most are coached by volunteer parents doing their generous best — and one or two club sessions a week, shared among thirty kids, only develops a player so far. The juniors who arrive at rep trials confident and composed are almost always the ones who trained properly through summer: refining technique until it holds up under match pressure, building game sense so they make better decisions with less time and space, and testing themselves against other committed players instead of coasting. That is precisely what the Elite Summer Training Program was built for, fifteen years and thirty two editions ago.
SERVICE AREA / VENUES
8 Venues Across Metro Melbourne
Training runs at Ascot Vale, Box Hill, Caulfield, Chadstone, Greensborough, Essendon East Keilor, Hawthorn and South Morang — covering Melbourne's north, east, south east and inner west. Registered players can train at any venue under the unlimited training bonus, so holidays and busy weeks never cost a session.
REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsed By AFL Senior Coaches. Loved By Melbourne Families.
"This is the first time I've been exposed to DFS. It's actually mind blowing, the level of detail, the professionalism."
— Craig McRae, Collingwood
"I was never the best junior but kept working on my skills — no matter what level you're at you can always get better. Programs like this really help."
Brad Scott
Essendon Senior Coach
"Most clubs have dads with little to no coaching experience. DFS have the experts, which is wonderful for the players."
Terry Wallace
AFL Coach
"I did DFS for a year. It is another level when you come to DFS."
Nick Coffield
St Kilda FC, former DFS player
5.0 | Google Rating
"My son has completed a large number of DFS programs and clinics over the past three years, most recently the Elite Summer Training Program. The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable, have high expectations, and are consistently positive, friendly and welcoming. They teach skills, game awareness and leadership."
Melissa W., Parent
"Love the DFS program and what it offers; an elite football program with a great coaching team which helped excel my son's footy skills and confidence. The pre season program placed my son in a great position to start round 1 in his new local footy team."
Richard M., Parent
"This program is one of the most professional and encouraging footy programs I have ever come across. The coaches will push your child to achieve their very best in every single session. Their experience of the footy world is second to none and they deliver a program that the kids love coming back to."
Louise O., Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is the program for?
Two pathways run side by side: the Junior Pathway for players born 2015 to 2017 and the Senior Pathway for players born 2011 to 2014, each training in their own age specific squad.
My child is not at rep level. Is this still for them?
The program suits committed players who want to improve, not just current rep players. Squads are age specific and coaching is tailored — many players use the summer to make the jump from solid club player to rep trial contender. For younger or beginner players, our School Holiday Programs are the better entry point — ask when you apply.
When and where does it run?
The 2026 program starts November 10 with weekly sessions at Ascot Vale, Box Hill, Caulfield, Chadstone, Greensborough, Essendon East Keilor, Hawthorn and South Morang. Registered players can attend extra sessions at any venue at no added cost.
What does my child get with registration?
Full program access, the free training singlet, online skills training, the unlimited venue bonus, the Match Day Finale and AFL Draft Combine testing — plus the early bird bonus session for registrations before November 3.
Who are the coaches?
The program is led by Adrian Talarico (junior pathway roles at Collingwood, St Kilda and North Melbourne), Michael Talbot (Collingwood NGA Girls Academy Head Coach) and Adam Veli (Essendon NGA High Performance Manager), supported by experienced development coaches.
How do I secure a place?
Places at each venue are limited. Submit the application form and the DFS team will confirm your child's place and everything you need for November 10.
Limited Places. 8 Venues. One Summer That Sets Up Next Season.
Trusted by 23,000+ Melbourne families and 250+ junior clubs since 2010, with alumni now playing AFL and AFLW. Applications for the 2026 Elite Summer Training Program are open — early bird closes November 3.
Dynamic Footy Skills — Junior Football Development Since 2010
Areas
Venues across metro Melbourne: Ascot Vale, Box Hill, Caulfield, Chadstone, Greensborough, Essendon East Keilor, Hawthorn, South Morang
© 2026 Dynamic Footy Skills