COURSE SUMMARY

DATES: 15th & 22nd April, 2026
TIME: 9am–12pm AEST / 2 x 3 Hour Sessions
METHOD: Online via Zoom
POSITIONS: 20
INVESTMENT: One-Time Payment or Monthly Payments over 6 or 12 Months
FACILITATOR: Neil Balme
INFO SESSION: TBC

The Building Elite Football Clubs Accelerator is presented by Neil Balme, one of the most influential leaders in Australian football. Across a career spanning decades at Richmond, Geelong and Collingwood, Neil has played a pivotal role in building sustainable, high-performing football clubs both on and off the field.

This course provides rare access to his philosophy and practical approach to football leadership. Participants will explore how to create identity and culture, manage change, balance football and business priorities, and understand the principles that underpin successful clubs. With real-world case studies and deep insight into the realities of elite sport, this program offers lessons for anyone aspiring to lead in football or sport more broadly.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR

  • Current leaders in sport

  • Aspiring leaders in sport

  • Club administrators and football department staff looking to up-skill

  • Coaches and recruiters interested in the business side of the game

  • Professionals from other sports transitioning into football management

COURSE CONTENT

Split over 2 sessions, you’ll explore what it takes to build and sustain elite football clubs, with practical insights and strategies drawn from Neil Balme’s storied career. Topics include:

  • What makes an elite football club and how to define success

  • Building identity and culture that translates on-field and off-field

  • Creating high-performance environments for athletes and staff

  • Case studies from Richmond, Geelong and Collingwood

  • Leadership lessons, mistakes to avoid, and what great clubs do differently

COURSE OUTCOMES

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of building and sustaining elite football clubs

  • Develop strategies for identity, culture, and performance environments

  • Recognise the balance between football and business operations

  • Learn from real-world examples across Richmond, Geelong and Collingwood

  • Build networks and insights that can be applied across all levels of sport

INDUSTRY EXPERT

NEIL BALME

Neil Balme is one of the most influential figures in Australian Rules Football, with a career spanning over 50 years as a player, coach, and football executive.

After a successful playing career at Richmond in the 1970s, Balme transitioned into coaching and later became a revered football leader at clubs including Melbourne, Collingwood, Geelong, and Richmond. He has played a key role in building some of the most successful and admired football departments in modern AFL history.

Known for his calm leadership, deep football insight and ability to bring people together, Neil has shaped the direction of elite clubs by focusing on culture, care and clarity. His approach has influenced generations of players, coaches, and administrators.

This course is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the game's most respected minds.

WHAT DO I GET WHEN I ENROL?

2 x ONLINE LIVE WORKSHOPS

Complete this accelerator over 2 weeks with 2 x 3 hour live sessions. All content is recorded for you to go back and view following completion.

ACCESS TO INSTRUCTORS

During your completion of the course, you’ll have access to Stephen to ask any questions that you may have about the industry and content.

CAREER SUPPORT

During and after completing a course, you’ll recieve a free career advisory call to help you map out the next steps of your career through networking and job applications.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Over the length of the accelerator, there will be opportunities in break out groups and discussion for you to connect with other industry professionals and expand your network

PAY UPFRONT OR 6 & 12 MONTH PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

All our courses come with an option to pay upfront or over a 6 or 12 month payment plan to make payment easy whilst still being able to access all the content at once.

MICRO-CREDENTIAL CERTIFICATION

You’ll receive a certificate on completion of the course which you can share online on LinkedIn and any other platform you choose.

THE INVESTMENT

ONE TIME PAYMENT : $990

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6 MONTH PLAN: $165 p/m

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12 MONTH PLAN: $82.50 p/m

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Investing in your education is one of the best decisions an individual can make, so we want to make it as accessible as possible. That's why we're offering a flexible payment option that allows you to spread the cost of your course over 6 or 12 months.

  • Monthly Payments: Break down the total course fee into manageable monthly payments with no hidden fees.

  • Budget-Friendly: Get immediate access to all course content while spreading the cost, making it easier on your budget.

  • No Interest: Enjoy the convenience of monthly payments without any additional interest or charges.

  • Immediate Access: If you choose the monthly payment option, you’ll still recieve full access to all the content immediately after first payment.

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