Tasmania’s next generation of AFL and AFLW stars are about to start an exciting new journey, with the state’s newly established talent academies for 13-15-year-olds set to kick off later this month.
Inductions started in the south on Monday night and will take place throughout this week, with nearly 300 boys and girls aged from 13-15 and coming from all three regions of the state making up the first intake.
Full squad lists can be viewed here.
The 2024 academy program will start on May 27 and run through to mid-September, operating out of bases in the north, north west, and south of the state.
With an initial focus on skill development, players will work with some of Tasmania’s top coaches led by Talent Pathways Skills Acquisition Coach Brad Cox-Goodyer, as well as receiving specialised support from strength and conditioning and wellbeing staff. Additional appointments will be announced in the coming weeks.
Players will then have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a series of academy games, to be held in July and September. During that time, trial games will also be held for 12-year-olds looking to enter the academy program in 2025.
The establishment of the talent academy program for 12-15-year-old Tasmanians was announced in November last year and is part of the AFL’s overall $360 million investment package into the state, which includes $33 million towards developing young male and female talent.
State Talent Manager, Dave O’Sign, said: “Congratulations to our inaugural Academy inductees. This is a really exciting time for football in Tasmania and we welcome the opportunity to share the journey with our aspiring girls and boys football players.”
“Our Academies are designed to provide our girls and boys with the opportunity to reach their football potential. We’ll be focusing not only on improving football-specific skills, but also on developing young players of great character and resilience.”
Talent Pathways Skills Acquisition Coach, Brad Cox-Goodyer, said: “This is the first step in an exciting journey for Tasmania’s talented young football players. With this first intake, they are the first of hopefully many to come through a professional, supportive and inclusive pathway.
“They now have access to elite coaching and support for many years to hopefully give them the best opportunity to one day play in the AFL/W, ideally in a Tasmania Devils guernsey.”
Tasmania Football Club Executive Director, Kath McCann, said: “When the Tasmania Football Club’s AFL and AFLW teams debut in the national league we want to see as many Tasmanians representing the Devils as possible, and our talent pathways and investment in young talent now is so important to achieving that.
“It is wonderful to see the inaugural academy groups selected and to have them kicking off in their respective programs across Tasmania. The Tasmania Football Club is proud to be a part of their inductions, and we are looking forward to working with the young athletes as they progress through their academy journey.”