The second AFL Chairman’s Cup and MCC President’s Medal will be presented at the annual AIS-AFL Academy match tomorrow, Friday, night.
The AIS-AFL Academy level two squad, playing as Australia Under-18s will take on Collingwood’s VFL team in a curtain-raiser to the Hawthorn v Fremantle match at the MCG. The match will commence at 4.20pm.
The winning team will be presented the AFL Chairman’s Cup by AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.
The best player from the Australia Under-18s side will be awarded the MCC President’s Medal which will be presented by MCC President Paul Sheahan. AIS-AFL Academy High Performance Coach Brad Johnson and his assistants Glen Jakovich, Brad Ottens, Matthew Lloyd and Tadhg Kennelly will select the medallist.
AIS-AFL Academy High Performance Coach Brad Johnson said it was a great opportunity for the players to experience the atmosphere at the MCG.
“We aim to give our players unique experiences to develop as their strive to make it on AFL lists and the opportunity to play at the MCG in the lead up to the Grand Final replay tomorrow night will be another important stepping stone,” he said.
The AIS-AFL Academy level two squad, consisting of players who are heading into their draft year, depart for a 14-day European tour on Saturday April 5. The squad will arrive in London, basing themselves in Wembley, before travelling to the AIS European training centre in Varese, Italy.
The squad will play the first of two matches on Wednesday April 9 in an Australia/Europe intra-club match at The Harrow School, Middlesex. Saturday April 12 will see the squad play the European Legion again at The Harrow School.
The squad will depart London for Varese on Sunday April 13 for a training camp at the AIS European training centre.
Johnson said that the AIS-AFL Academy was looking forward to taking the squad to Europe to gain invaluable experience in training, playing and recovering away from the comforts of home.
“It is a great challenge for the players to prepare and recover from matches in a new environment whilst also representing their country and the game,” he said.
AIS-AFL Academy mentors Brad Ottens, Tadhg Kennelly and Glen Jakovich will also travel with the squad to Europe.
The AIS-AFL Academy Squad will be presented with their Australian Guernseys at a function tonight at Etihad Stadium.
The AIS-AFL Academy is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
• NAB AFL Rising Star
• NAB AFL Draft
• NAB AFL Draft Combine
• NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
• AIS-AFL Academy
• NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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