The 97 Football Academy

Develop the
other 97%.

A complete development platform for young footballers — online, and in person. We build the speed, strength, mindset and habits that decide the game, so everything they already do at training finally shows up.

%
Why the Academy exists

How far a kid goes
shouldn’t be left to chance.

A young athlete’s progress should come down to two things: how much they want it, and how hard they’ll work for it. Everything else — strength, speed, skill, mindset, confidence — can be built. Most kids just never get shown how.

The Why

Let desire set the ceiling

Talent and desire are theirs. Everything underneath it — we build together, on purpose instead of by chance.

The What

Two sides. One athlete.

The Game (speed, strength, skill) and The Edge (mindset, habits, leadership) — the whole player, and the person underneath.

The How

Alongside their club

Built to complement great coaching, never replace it — online anywhere, or in person across Newcastle & Hunter Valley.

97%
THE WEEK
The 97

Most of the week,
they’re on their own.

A young player spends a small slice of their week with their team — and great coaches make every minute of it count. But that’s roughly 3% of their week. The other 97% happens away from the coach. That’s the part we’re here for.

We complement the coaching — we never replace it.

Two ways to train

Choose your runway.

The same system, delivered two ways. Follow the full program online from anywhere, or train face-to-face in small groups across Newcastle & Hunter Valley. Either way, it’s built to be fun — missions, challenges and leaderboards kids actually want to chase.

Daily missions Challenges Leaderboards Earn your wings
The belief

Great people make better athletes.

We’ll make you faster — that’s the easy part, and we’ll keep the promise. But health comes before performance, and character comes before both. Get the person right and the athlete looks after itself.

97
The proof

Built with athletes who’ve gone all the way.

The same system that’s developed grassroots juniors right through to Olympians, Matildas and the NRL.

“

My strength has built enormously — but the speed and acceleration has been the most noticeable thing. Just beating players with acceleration has taken my game to a whole new level.

Ky
Ky
Hockeyroo & Olympian
“

A marked improvement in her strength on the ball and her ability to change direction and accelerate. Hats off to the coaches — their professional, fun and modern approach is working.

Josie
Josie
Young Matildas
“

Michael pushed me to be my best both physically and mentally. I’ve never been a fan of the gym but I’ve become a convert. Highly recommend to all athletes — particularly in football, and females.

Rhali
Rhali
W-League
“

Crucial to my physical and mental strength in my NRL pre-season. A program specific to my needs, so I had maximum mobility and strength heading into the season injury-free.

Tom
Tom
Newcastle Knights · NRL
“

After only a few weeks, people were asking “how are you getting to so many tackles?”. Little changes, huge differences on the field — I’ve gotten so much stronger and fitter.

L
Libby
NPLW
“

As a professional rugby league coach — as far as programs go, this is better than how many pro athletes train. Mike’s a great coach, and this place feels like home.

R
Rohan
Pro rugby league coach
97

Be first in.

Register your interest and you’re on the founding list — first access, first pick, and the founding rate.