Boys off on a tour that's launched several AFL careersTHE AIS-AFL Academy Squad has departed for South Africa on an 18-day tour.
The Australian under-17 squad has already played Williamstown, the Western Bulldogs VFL affiliate club, in a challenge match at Docklands last Saturday prior to the St Kilda versus West Coast match.
The 18-day tour South Africa tour also includes matches in Cape Town and Perth.
Head coach Alan McConnell said the opportunity to travel with and learn from the assistant coaching panel consisting of Nathan Buckley, Jason McCartney and Marcus Ashcroft will be priceless in the development of the AFL's next generation of stars.
"This tour will not only provide invaluable football development, it will also provide tremendous opportunities for personal growth. Visits to the Sparrow HIV Village and Soweto, famous for its struggle against the apartheid regime, are both key dates on the itinerary," McConnell said.
National and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the 30 young players also have the unique opportunity to play a role in the development and promotion of the game in South Africa.
"South Africa's FootyWILD program launched two years ago by the AIS-AFL Academy has experienced rapid growth in participation rates across all ages," he said. "FootyWILD is an adapted version of NAB AFL Auskick now with over 17,000 participants across South Africa. Australia's finest young footballers will conduct FootyWILD clinics to help further expand the game.
"Last yea's International Cup saw the South Africa Lions claim third place, a testament to the accelerated growth of the game in the African nation."
Of last year's 30-player squad, 24 have successfully made the transition to AFL clubs via last November's NAB AFL Draft, including Jack Watts (Melbourne), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) and Michael Hurley (Essendon).
Tour matches (times are local):Monday, April 20: Australia under-17s v South Africa Lions at Boland Park, Paarl, Cape Town at 3:30pm; Saturday, April 25 (Anzac Day): Australia under-17s v Peel Thunder (curtain-raiser to Fremantle v Sydney) at Subiaco Oval at 3:30pm.
This is the third AIS-AFL Academy tour to South Africa and follows recent tours by West Coast, Fremantle, Carlton, Collingwood and an Indigenous Youth Team.
The AIS-AFL Academy is an element 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.
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career, comprising the following elements: NAB AFL Rising Star, NAB AFL Draft, NAB AFL Draft Camp, NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, AIS-AFL Academy, NAB AFL Under 16 Championships.
* See the Photo Gallery (linked above) for the Slattery Media Group image of Liddy, May and Hampton in full.AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
AFL.com.auTuesday, April 14, 2009
Last Modified on 15/04/2009 00:28