Young football supporters can now become virtual list managers with a new competition allowing students to leverage their maths and analytical skills to choose the ultimate 2017 Collingwood squad while staying beneath the AFL salary cap.

The Collingwood Football Club, in collaboration with the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT), have launched a dynamic new national maths competition called the STEM Cup.

The STEM Cup competition will allow students to assume the role of the Capologist, where they are challenged to build the best team at the best price. Guided by Collingwood National Recruiting Assistant and LifeJourney mentor Dominic Milesi, students will compete to become the nation’s top capologist.

"Collingwood is delighted to engage Australian STEM students in this important challenge," Collingwood CEO Gary Pert.

"Our lead capologist Dominic Milesi is arguably our brightest superstar off the field. His unique talent and analysis are critical to our success as a club.

"Our hope for the Collingwood STEM Cup is to inspire more students to study maths and STEM subjects and build Australia’s future."

Students, teachers, and parents interested in the STEM Cup can click here to register for the program. The competition officially opens on July 17 and runs through August 20.

The successful students and schools in each region will be recognised and rewarded with the Collinwood STEM Cup experience, including a behind the scenes VIP experience and draft session with Milesi and contribute to a salary cap planning session.

The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) is promoting the initiative with its 4,500-member base of Maths Teachers and their schools so that Australian students can better appreciate the power of mathematics from the classroom to the football field.

“AAMT is pleased to work with Collingwood and LifeJourney on the STEM Cup," stated AAMT Chief Executive Officer Will Morony.

"Our teacher members are constantly seeking out unique and interesting programs that provide students with an opportunity to leverage maths skills in a real-world context. Combining the power of football with the importance of maths enables us to accelerate the STEM agenda of our nation."

Participation in the STEM Cup is offered free of charge. Teachers are encouraged to register their students for the STEM Cup through the website.

This media release was sourced directly from the Collingwood Football online.