The AIS/AFL Academy is a commitment made by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and by the Australian Football League (AFL) to enhance the sporting, the personal and the educational and vocational opportunities of our best young players.
Each year the AIS/AFL Academy offers thirty 12-month scholarships to young athletes who are entering the last year of their junior football development.
Scholarship holder's will remain in their home states but gather together for three National camps and other training programs at various times during the course of the year. Squad members will also be given the opportunity to represent Australia in an international tour of South Africa.
The Academy Head Coach, based at the SCG in Sydney, is former AFL player and Coach, Alan McConnell.
A former Western Bulldogs player who played 38 games with the club between 1980-82, McConnell is a qualified Physical Education Teacher with an extensive background in the AFL coaching system.
He spent six years with Fitzroy from 1991-96, including stints as club senior coach before its merger with the then-Brisbane Bears, and seven years as a Geelong assistant coach from 1997-2003.
Click here to email the AIS/AFL Academy
Please take a moment to explore this site further:
| Current 11th Intake |
Thirty of our best young footballers were nominated to the Director of the AIS, to be offered prestigious Academy scholarships into the 11th intake of the AIS/AFL Academy. |
| AIS Honour Roll |
For the 2008 season, out of 713 players including rookies on AFL club lists, there are 148 players who have graduated from the AIS/AFL Academy, 22% of Players on club lists. Past Scholarship holders forging careers in the AFL include one brownlow medalist, sixteen premiership players, ten All-Australian representatives and tow NAB AFL Rising Star Award Winners. |
| Information on AIS/AFL Academy staff |
Information on AIS/AFL Academy staff |
| Related articles and links |
The following articles and links are recommended reading. |