West Coast launches Eagles Active digital academy for WA’s young footballers

by May 27, 2025Elite Sport, News

Perth – Western Australia. The West Coast Eagles are proud to announce the launch of the Eagles Academy, a suite of cutting-edge eLearning courses designed to fast-track the development of young footballers across Western Australia.

Available exclusively on the Eagles Active platform and developed in partnership with Playbk Sports, the Academy features four initial eLearning courses.

Each course has been expertly designed to equip young athletes with the habits, knowledge, and mindset needed to thrive in modern football:

  • Fuel to Perform – Building elite habits around nutrition and hydration
  • Power and Performance – Strength and conditioning fundamentals for young athletes
  • Power and Performance: Elevate – A quiz-based course to support footballers embed key principles of strength and conditioning
  • Skill Up – Footy-specific drills to sharpen technique and decision-making 

Developed in collaboration with experts from the club’s high performance and academy programs including former West Coast captain Steve Malaxos, AFLW High Performance Manager Wes Salisbury and Eagles nutritionist Emma Walkley, the content blends scientific principles with real-world football experience. 

Don Pyke, CEO of the West Coast Eagles, highlighted the club’s commitment to increasing accessibility to the game.

“The Eagles Academy represents a long-term investment in the future of WA football,” Pyke said. 

“It’s built to help young athletes take charge of their development, no matter where they live or what level of football they play.  

“By putting elite-level insights into the hands of the next generation, we’re giving players the tools they need to succeed and meeting them where they are – online.

“The Eagles Academy initiative is also a commitment to our fans and the broader growth of the game by offering unprecedented access to our elite programs, players and staff through technology.”  

Damian Hecker, COO of Playbk Sports, said the Eagles Academy gives young footballers across Western Australia the opportunity to train like an Eagle anytime, anywhere.

From metropolitan Perth to remote regional communities, players can now access the same principles and training tools that underpin elite performance at the highest level.

“Having been at the coalface of sports education for a decade we know how crucial it is for junior athletes to receive the right guidance early,” Hecker said. 

“This is a core aspect of our vision as a business and we’re excited to work with the Eagles to build courses that are not only educational, but truly relevant and engaging for young footballers today.  

“The Eagles Academy supports the development of skill, strength, positive nutrition habits and mindset – on the field and off – and we’re incredibly proud of what it delivers.”

Richard O’Connell, West Coast’s EGM of Community and Game Development, outlined the importance of providing an online tool that can reach regional areas so that all young athletes have access to the same opportunities.  

“Eagles Active not only develops football skills and fosters confidence but teaches other important off field skills like how to fuel for peak performance,” O’Connell said. 

“With the flexibility to train individually or alongside teammates, the Academy fosters consistency, connection, and commitment. 

“The Eagles’ commitment to developing these tools will enable increased access to high-quality development that will strengthen football across the state and support long-term growth in talent at all levels of the game.”

Registration is free and now open at eaglesactive.com.au. For more information, visit the West Coast Eagles website 
 
 Start your journey with the Eagles Active and Academy today.
 
 End.
 
 For media enquiries, please contact:
 Playbk Sports | Contact Us
 West Coast Eagles | Contact Us
 

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 

Founded in 2015, Playbk Sports delivers innovative eLearning and fitness technology solutions to Australia’s leading sporting organisations. With expertise in both sport and education, we specialise in programs for schools, coach education, and academy pathways.

We’re trusted by top teams from the AFL, NRL, and NBL, and organisations including the NFL, AusCycling, and Special Olympics Australia. Our partnerships enhance fan engagement, empower communities, and create sustainable commercial opportunities.

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