First Female Academies to be launched
NSW/ACT is delighted to announce the launch of the first ever Female AFL Academies in the region, giving 200 females the opportunity to hone their skills ahead of the National Female competition in 2017.
The female academies will be based at four venues – Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Sydney and Newcastle – with up to 200 females taking part across the four cities.
The new academy structure provides a new opportunity for aspiring coaches, and in conjunction with player nominations AFL NSW/ACT is seeking expressions of interest for Head and Assistant Coaches across the four academies. For information on how to apply and the position description please click here.
The Academies, to be run by AFL NSW/ACT as part of its talent development program, will be comprised of two age groups – Women’s (Over 18), and Youth Girls (Between 14-18) – and will be modelled on the existing Sydney Swans GWS GIANTS Academies, with venues and facilities shared where possible.
A run of female Academy games will also be played on the same days as the existing junior Academy games series between the Swans and GIANTS’ academies, held in February and March this year.
Former Sydney Swans player Tim Schmidt has been appointed to head the program as NSW/ACT Female Football High Performance.
After a successful junior career Schmidt was drafted to Sydney in 2003 and played 17 games for the Swans, before his career was cut short due to injury.
In retirement Schmidt has remained heavily involved with AFL coaching with the NSW/ACT National Youth Girls team and Sydney Swans Academy, and he is excited to be taking on the role.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to steer the next phase of female football growth in NSW/ACT, as we head towards a national competition,” Schmidt said.
“Female football is something I’m extremely passionate about, and I know there are a lot of talented females in this region that will benefit hugely from being involved with an elite Academy program.”
Former Swan Tim Schmidt will head the program.
AFL NSW/ACT CEO Sam Graham said this announcement caps a significant year for AFL in NSW/ACT.
“Women’s and girls’ AFL are the fastest growing segments of football in NSW/ACT, and the formation of these academies comes as a result of demand from our extremely enthusiastic and driven female participants,” Graham said.
“This is an exciting time for current players as well as talented athletes willing to try AFL, and the new academies will ensure NSW/ACT is in best position possible to have a team in the upcoming national competition.”
As a part of the selection process AFL NSW/ACT is calling all age eligible females to attend the academy trials, which will commence in early 2016. There is no previous AFL experience required to nominate or trial for a place in the academy. Nomination details, trial dates, times, and locations will be found on the AFL NSW/ACT website.
Nominations close on 12th of January 2016, with trials to be conducted at each Academy venue from the 18th of January.
Contact AFL NSW/ACT Female Programs Manager Libby Sadler (Libby.Sadler@aflnswact.com.au) for more details.
