Visiting the region as part of the 2010 Telstra AFL Community Camp program, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss and star local player Josh Drummond, were joined by the AFL’s Talent and Academies Manager for NSW & QLD, Mark Browning.
The Academies were launched in October last year and are linked to each of the four AFL clubs in NSW and QLD - the Sydney Swans, the Brisbane Lions and new expansion teams the Gold Coast Football Club and Team GWS (Greater Western Sydney).
Based on an existing partnership between the AFL and the Brisbane Lions, the new program will see a satellite centre for the Academy established on the Sunshine Coast later this year. This centre will provide regular high level training for players from 12 years of age.
Speaking about the program from the Maroochy Multi Sports Complex, Mr Browning highlighted the additional opportunities the Academy would provide for talented young players.
“The new AFL Academies in Queensland, delivered in partnership with the Brisbane Lions and new club Gold Coast, will allow the AFL to fast-track the development of up to 240 young Queenslanders each year.
“We have increased the catchment region for the AFL Lions Academy to include players from the Wide Bay region. This is important in not only providing more players with greater access to quality training programs, but helps us build a larger pool of players for the Suncoast Power, and in the longer term, for the possible introduction of a QAFL State League team based here on the Coast,” he said.
The Lions will work with the AFL to identify, attract and develop players, taking their development through to drafting age for the NAB Draft and NAB Rookie Draft.
Speaking about the Academy, Lions Senior Coach Michael Voss reflected on his own career development and the opportunities now being provided to young players from the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions.
"The initiative will provide the Club with a great opportunity to develop some talent in some fast growing AFL areas around Queensland,” Voss said.
Lions player and Sunshine Coast export Josh Drummond agreed. "It definitely gives kids from the Sunshine Coast and other areas added incentive during their junior football. Having that pathway to the AFL will be a huge benefit," he said.
The Academy programs are based on the same six core elements of the AIS/AFL Academy curriculum, covering Physical Preparation, Skill Development, Nutrition and Recovery, Personal Development, Athlete and Career Education and AFL Policy.
In each of those six core areas, the specific focus points are as follows:
· Physical Preparation - Medical Screening, Fitness Testing, Conditioning, Profiling, Prioritising, Program Assessment, Heat and Training, Resting your Body, Immunisation;
· Skill Development - Learning Style, Kick Technique, Running Technique, Game Sense, Game Knowledge, Game Balance, Decision Making, Team Rules / Game Plan, AFL Player Profiling, Basics of Game, Competition Performance, Performance Analysis;
· Nutrition and Recovery - General Education, Food Diaries, Individualised Reviews and Food Plans, Losing / Gaining Weight, Hydration, Recovery Practices, Practical Sessions, Drugs and Alcohol;
· Personal Development - Psych Profiling, Mental Toughness, Stress Minimisation, Goal Setting, Postive Self-Image, Personal Growth, Life Skills, Public Speaking, Media Training, Etiquette, Leadership, Drugs and Alcohol, Travel;
· Athlete and Career Education - Computer Skills, Individualised Assessments, Monitoring Performance, Study Skills, Time Management, Educational Support, Welfare Issues;
· AFL Policy - ASADA - AFL Policy, Respect and Responsibility, Racial and Religious Vilification, Drafting and the AFL Pathway, AFL Illicit Drugs Policy, AFL member protection policy, AFL Player Rules and Regulations, AFL Code of Conduct, AFL National Draft Procedures, AFL Academy Policy.
The satellite academy training program on the Sunshine Coast is expected to be operating by November this year. There are currently 21 local players in the Academy, with eight rookies who haven’t played AFL at junior club level.
