Footy academies started

Gippsland footballers will have the opportunity to take their first steps on the talent pathway even sooner, following the launch of five new junior academies across the region.

AFL Gippsland and Gippsland Power are joining forces with the six junior leagues and associations across the Gippsland catchment in the aim of increasing the depth of the talent pool.

It comes on the back of the success of the East Gippsland Junior Academy Program that was established in Bairnsdale two years ago.

The new AFL Gippsland Academy structure will follow the same model, featuring under-12 and under-14 groups, and will be based at Sale, Traralgon, Warragul and suitable locations for participants in the southern Gippsland and central Gippsland programs.

AFL Gippsland Football Development Manager Adrian Bromage and Gippsland Power Talent Manager Peter Francis will oversee the implementation of the new academies as well as maintaining the existing one in East Gippsland, which this year will feature a youth girls’ academy for girls aged 13 to 17 years.

Bromage said the core aim of the program was to develop individual player skills in all areas of the game, as well as leadership behaviours among young footballers.

Francis was excited about the prospect of fast tracking regional players’ development, which he was confident would ultimately lead to greater numbers graduating to Gippsland Power programs with a stronger skill base.

The program will also provide a forum for coaches to gain experience in a high-quality environment, which Francis hoped would lead to an extension and improvement in the quality of junior coaches in Gippsland.

The program includes six sessions between February and April and culminates with a testing day hosted by Hawthorn and Gippsland Power football clubs.

Invitations have already been issued to prospective participants, with about 30 players to be selected for each age group from across each junior league or association.