Fortify Movement & Health — Youth Services
Young Athlete Development & Youth Strength and Conditioning in Altona North
Science-led strength, conditioning and injury-prevention for junior athletes across Altona North, Hobsons Bay and Melbourne's west — built on assessment and objective data.
Our Approach
A science-led approach to young athletes
Every decision we make is grounded in assessment, objective data and an understanding of how young bodies develop — so your athlete trains smarter, not just harder.
Developmental Screening
Every program starts with a thorough movement and capacity assessment so we understand exactly where your young athlete is in their development.
Safe Progressive Strength
Strength training is safe and beneficial for young athletes when it's properly designed. We use age-appropriate loading that builds a foundation without placing undue stress on developing bodies.
Growth-Aware Load Management
We monitor training loads carefully around growth spurts — a critical period when injury risk increases — adjusting the program in real time to keep your athlete healthy.
Objective AxIT Testing
AxIT strength testing gives us precise, repeatable data on force and strength so we can track progress objectively and make decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork.
Program Components
What's included
Every young athlete program at Fortify is individually designed. Here's what you can expect to be part of your athlete's pathway.
Initial Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation of your young athlete's movement quality, strength, injury history and goals — the foundation of everything that follows.
AxIT Strength Testing
Precise, objective force and strength measurements that give us repeatable data to track progress and identify imbalances.
Injury-Prevention Screening
Targeted screening to identify movement patterns and weaknesses that increase injury risk, so we can address them early.
Individualised S&C Program
A strength and conditioning program built specifically for your athlete — their sport, their body, their goals.
Growth-Aware Load Management
Training loads are reviewed and adjusted continuously, especially around growth spurts, to keep development on track and injury risk low.
Pre-Season & Return-to-Sport Conditioning
Structured programs to prepare athletes for the demands of competition or to safely return to sport following injury.
Progress Re-Testing
Regular objective re-testing to measure change, demonstrate progress and refine the program as your athlete develops.
Who It's For
Who benefits from this program
Whether your young athlete is chasing performance or simply wants to move better and stay healthy, this program is built around them.
Juniors across all codes
Football, netball, soccer, basketball, athletics, swimming and more — we design programs for athletes competing in any sport.
Kids going through a growth spurt
Rapid growth increases injury risk. We monitor loading carefully during these windows and adjust the program to keep your athlete healthy.
Returning from injury
Safe, structured return-to-sport conditioning that rebuilds strength, addresses the cause of injury, and reduces re-injury risk.
Pre-season preparation
Get ahead of the season with a targeted conditioning block so your athlete hits round one ready, not still building base fitness.
Neurodivergent teens
We create calm, low-pressure environments tailored to individual needs — so neurodivergent athletes can train confidently and progress at their own pace.
Complements club coaching
Our programs are designed to work alongside existing club training — not replace it. We fill the gaps club coaches don't have time to address.
Led by
Ryan Coonan
Accredited Exercise Scientist
Ryan leads Fortify's young athlete development program. He combines an evidence-based approach to strength and conditioning with a genuine passion for helping junior athletes build confidence, resilience and physical capability — safely and sustainably.
Read Ryan's full profileCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started
Book a young-athlete assessment
The first step is a comprehensive assessment. Select a time below and Ryan will take care of the rest.