AFL NSW/ACT digs deep for new talent

By Deanna Hadid

AFL NSW/ACT will be keeping a close watch for the next big names in football when AFL legend Chris Johnson heads to Broken Hill this week.

Indigenous and multicultural youths aged 12 to 17 will have the opportunity to put their football skills to the test when the former Brisbane Lions star assesses their performance at the Indigenous and multicultural talent trials.

Junior footballers who have registered for the Talent Trial Game will be tested through high-performance exercises including agility testing and 20-metre sprints.

AFL NSW/ACT Indigenous Programs Manager, Katriina Heikkanen says the participants will be selected based on leadership, attitude, behaviour and athletic ability.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for players to be able to test themselves against other aspiring footballers while improving their skill and grooming them into young, responsible leaders,” Heikkanen said.

“This opportunity provides not only a talented pathway for these kids, but helps us select them based on their skill first-hand rather than through nominations as we did previously.”

Indigenous players who perform well may be selected to play in the AFL NSW/ACT Under-15s Indigenous State Team which will travel to Townsville on April 7-12 to play in the Indigenous National Championships.

Between 20 to 40 multicultural youth will also be selected to attend the Multicultural Talent Camp in Sydney on April 17-18.

Players eligible for the multicultural squad must have either been born overseas themselves or have at least one parent born overseas.

The AFL’s Indigenous and multicultural programs allow more young talent to be identified and provide further opportunities to aspiring young AFL players.

Local testing will be held on Tuesday March 5 at Broken Hill High School at 9.30am and Willyama High School at 1.30pm.

All players who are playing for selection must be registered.

Click here for more information on dates, venues and registration