Perth, WA – March 4, 2025 – The West Coast Eagles, in partnership with Playbk Sports, are excited to announce the launch of Eagles Active, the club’s first Learning Management System. The first program within the online portal, Freestyle Footy, is available to all teachers.
This free and innovative eLearning course, delivered by Eagles players and experts, is designed to empower teachers with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to bring Aussie Rules to school yards across Western Australia in a fun, safe and inclusive way.
Developed by the West Coast Eagles Community and Game Development team, Freestyle Footy is a comprehensive professional development course that provides teachers with six weeks of structured lesson plans, adaptable resources, and High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) to engage students in both formal PE sessions and informal play.
The course is fully aligned with the Australian Curriculum, ensuring seamless integration into school programs while supporting professional development accreditation for teachers.
Don Pyke, CEO of the West Coast Eagles, highlighted the club’s commitment to increasing accessibility to the game.
“Aussie Rules has the power to bring people together, and with Freestyle Footy, we are making it easier than ever for schools to introduce the sport in a dynamic and inclusive way. By providing educators with the tools they need to confidently deliver engaging lessons, we’re helping to build the next generation of AFL fans and players.”
Don Pyke, CEO of the West Coast Coast
Richard O’Connell, GM of Community and Game Development at the West Coast Eagles, reinforced the importance of innovation in sports education.
“This free program is designed to ensure that every teacher – whether they have a background in sport or not – can successfully teach and inspire students through Aussie Rules,” O’Connell said.
“Freestyle Footy not only develops skills but also fosters teamwork, confidence, leadership and a lifelong love for the game.”
Through Freestyle Footy, teachers will gain:
- Comprehensive lesson plans featuring engaging activities, teaching points, and adaptable modifications to support all student abilities as well as school resources and facilities.
- Games-based coaching strategies that focus on skill development through active play.
- A six-week PE curriculum program designed to introduce and reinforce key AFL skills in an accessible way.
- Professional learning accreditation, aligning with Australian Institute for Teacher and School Leadership (AITSL) Professional Standards for Teachers to support evidence-based teaching development.
- A student-led planning framework, empowering students to take ownership of their learning through the Sport Education in Physical Education Program (SEPEP) model.
- Alignment with the Australian Sports Commission’s Physical Literacy Framework, ensuring students develop fundamental movement skills, confidence, and motivation to engage in lifelong physical activity.
The launch of Freestyle Footy represents a milestone in the West Coast Eagles commitment to growing grassroots AFL participation and education. The Community team has already visited over 1,340 school in the last two years however this gives the club the ability to reach the entirety of Western Australia. The program not only provides a structured pathway for students to engage with the sport but also supports schools in creating a more active and inclusive learning environment.
“Freestyle Footy is a prime example of how technology and education can combine to enhance community engagement in sport and foster physical activity, We’re proud to partner with the West Coast Eagles on their first digital education initiative and we’re excited about what the future holds for Eagles Active.”
Damian Hecker, COO at Playbk Sports
Senior Coach Andrew McQualter discusses Freestyle Footy in the video below.
Start teaching AFL today with Freestyle Footy! Enrol for free at Eagles Active and bring the excitement of Aussie Rules to your students.
For more information, visit West Coast Eagles Website or read our Eagles Active launch article
Media Contact:
Playbk Sports Media Relations
Email: [email protected]
Contact us: https://playbksports.com/contact/
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About West Coast Eagles
The club was formed in 1987 and competes in the Australian Football League. The Eagles have achieved remarkable success throughout four decades in the highest level of football in Australia winning four premierships.
About Playbk Sports
Since 2015, Playbk Sports has partnered with leading sporting organisations to create innovative eLearning solutions for schools, coaches, and academies.
Trusted by teams across the AFL, NRL, and NBL, as well as organisations like the NFL, AusCycling, and Special Olympics Australia, Playbk Sports delivers programs that enhance participation, engage communities, and drive sustainable growth.
