2016 NSW/ACT U13/14 Joss State Zone Trials

Author Name: sarahbraybon | Posted 6:31 am on Thursday 29th September, 2016

The annual NSW/ACT U13 & 14 Joss State Zone Trials were held this week in Albury NSW. The carnival involves over 400 young NSW/ACT players travelling to the Southern NSW town, to take part in the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program.

The Albury Sports Ground and Albury City again provided the players the unique experience of living and breathing AFL football 24/7. All players are required to stay 3 nights in provided accomodation, where they are taken through a number of education sessions hosted by the experienced staff and coaches.

The most promising under 13 and 14 players linked to the Swans and GIANTS Academies are broken into teams depending on their age group and location. Murray, Sydney North, Sydney South, Northern Coast, Riverina, Western Sydney and ACT/South Coast were represented.

The trials were an opportunity for players to demonstrate their abilities and heighten their development. AFL NSW/ACT Talent & Coaching Manager, Darren Denneman says it is a great opportunity for players to have an insight on how the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program is run “For many it is their first chance to be involved in the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program, providing them elite experiences and a potential stepping stone toward an AFL career.”

Jason Saddington GWS GIANTS Academy Manager was pleased with the talent on display “We have seen some talented players come through the carnival in past years, who have fantastic AFL careers, like Zac Williams, Harry Himmelberg, Jack Steele and Matt Kennedy”

“I think the quality of football has been terrific. I’m really looking forward to see this group of players come up through the program over the years, working hard and forging their way through the GIANTS Academy and hopefully making their way to AFL lists.”

Chris Smith Sydney Swans Academy General Manager believes that the carnival is a valuable education piece for the players development “We are pleased with the outcomes of the State Zone Trials, as we have had some key players who have come through, which are a real success at the club. An example of that is Callum Mills who just received the 2016 NAB Rising Star.”

Photos from the 2016 NSW/ACT U13/14 Joss State Zone Trials are here.