Essendon Education Academy students swap the training ground for the sandpit, supporting a new play-based learning program for Melbourne's kindergarteners

Essendon Football Club’s Bomber Kids program turned the football field into a dynamic learning environment for local kindergarteners, inviting RMIT Essendon Education Academy (EEA) students to get involved.

Developed by Essendon Football Club’s (EFC) community team, Bomber Kids is an early learning incursion program carefully aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework and elements of the Victorian Curriculum (Foundation Level).

Using Essendon and AFL‑themed activities, the program focuses on physical activity, participation and school readiness, while building communication, language, social and emotional development skills for kindergarten aged children.

Students from the EEA, a partnered collaboration between Essendon Football Club and RMIT, were welcomed to get involved and gained hands‑on experience supporting Bomber Kids sessions alongside club staff. The continued partnership supports VE’s new EVOLVE @ RMIT roadmap, embedding students in real‑world environments where learning directly translates into community impact.

Four people holding footballs standing outside

(L-R) Eden Dias, Amelia Sacco, Maddison Cotton, Madison Prespakis (Essendon AFLW player). Photo: Brendan Hitchens

Former student Eden Dias is now working fulltime at Essendon as the club’s Community and Education Coordinator.

Reflecting on her pathway from student to staff member, Eden said the experience has been transformational.

"Studying with the Essendon Education Academy played a significant role in helping me feel prepared and confident upon completing my studies, as the hands-on, industry-wide experience equipped me with practical skills and real-world insight that translated directly into my career."

“When I first began my studies, Bomber Kids was still in its early days."

“Being able to watch the program develop from when I was a student to now, has been incredibly rewarding, and to play a role in helping to lead and deliver the programs is something I’m really proud of,” said Eden.

With her studies completed and through her role at Essendon, Eden has been able to merge her interests for early education with her goals for community impact, using football as a vehicle for engagement.

Bomber Kids is about more than football. The social impact of the program drives my passion.

“Helping children to feel included, confident and part of something bigger not only supports their fundamental movement skills, but also their social development and sense of belonging,” Eden concluded.

(L-R) Eden Dias, Amelia Sacco, Maddison Cotton, Madison Prespakis (Essendon AFLW player). Photo: Brendan Hitchens

Current students Maddison Cotten and Amelia Sacco also contributed to the Bombers’ community work, having the chance to connect with Eden and other EEA Graduates now working within the club.

“It is eye opening working with past students because it shows the pathway the EEA provides," said Amelia.

“It was inspiring to see what Eden is doing now at EFC knowing that I am in the same position she was at the beginning.”

Amelia is planning to continue her business studies at RMIT, but her EEA experience has left its mark inspiring her to build her career in sport.

EEA gives you far more placement opportunities and experiences across a broader range of areas than almost any other course I can think of.

“If you're debating whether to join and want firsthand experience working for a football club, it would absolutely be the right choice,” Amelia concluded.

Maddison is emerging as a promising young talent in the football space and has been able to take the next steps in playing for the VFLW while still exploring her long-term career ambitions with business.

“Doing this course [at RMIT] is helping me learn about the different types of jobs in the sports industry; helping me work out what I would want to pursue in the future,” said Maddison.

EAA students are introduced to a range of industry led experiences throughout their Dual Diploma of Business, Leadership and Management and are encouraged to embrace hands-on learning opportunities that occur within the club, such as the Bomber Kids program.

Each student completes at least 100 hours of placement supporting Essendon Football Club home games and working across different teams and partner networks behind the scenes.

In addition to graduates leaving with direct entry into RMIT's Bachelor of Business, students also have additional opportunities to undertake further development programs and placements, such as on-field football skills, game coaching, sports business and facilitating networking opportunities.

Annually the EFC offers two outstanding graduates’ fulltime roles within the club at the end of their studies, a unique foothold in their early career with a prestigious sporting organisation.

Learn more about the RMIT Essendon Education Academy.

06 May 2026

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