AFL UNDER 15 YEARS FOOTBALL PROGRAMS IN 2020

As discussed, the Australian Secondary Schools Sports Association has accepted the AFL’s recommendation to offer a National Under 14 boys’ and girls’ championships next year, in place of Under 15s, providing a 2-year gap between National Championships going forward. This adjustment creates an opportunity for States to provide a very focused state/territory specific program for Under 15s players development and aspirations. All states /territories’ programs will follow our NAB AFL National Academy Industry Standards and Guidelines to help ensure the growth of the individual in all facets, and their ability to contribute in a team environment using a holistic development approach. The following outlines the intra state Under 15s offers for each region in 2020 replacing the existing pathway at this level for both males and females.

MALE

Victoria Country 14 Victorian Country teams aligned with NAB League regions play 2 matches in the Under 15s V- Line Challenge in September. The players progress to an enhanced development program with their NAB League region in preparation for the Under 16s Country championships the following year.

Victoria Metro 8 Victorian Metro junior leagues play full round robin championships during the season in May and June with best again invited to NAB League tryouts later in the year preparing for Under 16s the following year.

Currently around 590 male Under 15s players involved at this representative level across Victoria each year.

AFL Victoria also considering a possible Victoria Metro vs Victoria Country match at Under 15s level with high performance preparation and coaching for 2021.

South The 8 SANFL clubs play 5 matches in May/June then in July are joined by their 8 Country zoned squads for 3 matches in what is the state Under 15s championships played in two divisions comprising Port Adelaide’s and Adelaide’s NGA clubs .Potential to then have representative game and high level coaching of the best 25 players from each division representing Port and the Crows. Currently around 400 male Under 15s players engaged each year.

Western Australia 13 teams aligned with the WAFL clubs as well as a team from the South West around Bunbury play 2 matches in October at Under 15s level after a selection and coaching program in July each year. Players then progress to the 9 WAFL Under 16s teams for the following year in preparation for WA Under 16s selection. Engages 350 male Under 15s players each year.

NSW/ACT State/Territory to use AFL Club Academies in Sydney Swans and GWS Giants as the coaching and development focus for all Under 15s across the region. Representative matches will be played between the best Swans and Giants players at Under 15s level during the

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season cumulating with state development trials in October. Annually 500 males will be involved at Under 15s level.

Queensland State to utilise the 2 AFL Club Academy’s in the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns to coach and develop the best 15-year olds from the state using its state under aged championships for talent ID. Will begin with 12 regions conducting high level summer development program out of strong Q Schools Cup competition. Regions will then play 6 matches against nearby opponents. This then leads into selection for a 5-game match program between the Lions and Suns in September holidays. Annually 600 males will be engaged at representative Under 15s level.

Northern Territory 7 Regions (5 NGA and 2 regions for GC Suns) play in the Michael Long Cup over a long weekend in April with the best Under 14- and 15-year old’s involved from across the Territory. The best Under 15s will immediately progress to the NT Under 16s squad of 30 players each year given our small participation base with the best Under 14s progressing to represent NT in the new SSA Under 14s Championships .Around 100 Under 15s male players are involved in the first phase of the Michael long Cup .

Tasmania 3 Regional April intra state carnival between North, North-West and South with further matches in August/September. Conducted under co-branded North Melbourne NGA and Tasmanian Devils banners. Around 100 male Under 15s players are engaged annually.

FEMALE

Victoria Country 7 Victorian Country teams aligned to NAB League Regions play 2 matches in the Under 15s V-Line Challenge throughout September. The players then progress to an enhanced development program with their NAB League region in preparation for the Under 16s Country Championships the next season. Engages 175 female Under 15s players.

Victoria Metro Youth girls at Under 15 level provided with opportunity to represent their league in month long championship during the season across 10 leagues. NAB League Clubs to use this as opportunity to then ID and train the best performed in September in preparation for the Under 16s the following year. 250 females involved in championships.

South Australia All 8 SANFL Cup participate in cross over matches in August each year at Under 15s level involving 200 females. Potential to again have Port vs Crows for the more advanced female players.

Western Australia 6 teams of Under 15 and Under 16 females comprising 4 teams from multiple WAFL Districts plus a diversity team and one from the South West play 5 matches in July and October.30 Under 15 females will progress to NGA program for the following year with 15 players at each of the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle. Approximately 75 females Under 15 years engaged.

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NSW ACT Regional Academies of Sport in conjunction with AFL NSW/ACT will conduct an advanced training and development program which culminates in Academy games. Both the Swans and Giants Academies run in season programs focusing on skill development for females. In total 350 females are given this opportunity at this level across NSW/ACT annually.

Queensland Female Program to be a mirror image of the male structure beginning with the 12 regional summer development programs leading into Regional games (6 matches) followed by Lions and Suns selection and 5 matches in the September holidays for the Under 15 females. Overall approximately 360 female players provided with opportunities annually at this age level.

Tasmania Female program at Under 15s level is included in Under 16s program which has both North and South squads. 8-week program beginning in February with matches vs GWV Rebels group involving both North and South at this level. Best Under 15s to be part of Tasmanian Under 16s team to visit North Melbourne at season end.

Northern Territory 7 Regions play in the Michael Long Cup for Under 15 and Under 14 females over a long weekend in April each year as a mirror image of the males’ program. Players progress as bottom agers to the Under 16s with Under 14s able to progress to Territory team for SSA Championships.