The AFL welcomed an extension of NAB’s outstanding support of under-age football when it launched the NAB AFL National Academy on the Gold Coast today.
The Academy is a key component of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program that seeks to develop the future generations of AFL stars.
The Academy has evolved since the first intake in 1997 and now consists of two squads.
The Level One squad of 25 players is coached by Chris Johnson and will be chosen from the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships currently being held on the Gold Coast. The Level Two Squad is coached by Brad Johnson and includes 35 players that are turning 17 throughout this year and are therefore eligible for the NAB AFL Draft in 2015. Level Two is designed to prepare players for the step into senior AFL football.
Both squads will be announced in August.
Twenty-three percent of current AFL listed players are graduates of the AFL Academy. This includes nine current AFL club captains; Marc Murphy, Ryan Griffen, Travis Boak, Trent Cotchin, Luke Hodge, Joel Selwood, Jarrad McVeigh, Andrew Swallow and Jack Grimes.
AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan thanked the AIS for their 17-year partnership with the AFL.
“Our partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport has been successful and we will continue to involve AIS staff in the future,” he said.
“I thank the NAB for their outstanding support of the AFL’s Rising Stars Program and welcome their increased involvement in becoming the naming rights partner of the NAB AFL National Academy as we continue to build on the proud 17-year history of developing the best players and people for our game.”
National Australia Bank's General Manager Consumer Marketing, Kevin Ramsdale said, “As a longstanding supporter of the AFL, NAB is delighted to be associated with the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program. Our support of this program allows us to play a genuine role in growing the game, which is fundamental to our ongoing commitment to Footify Australia”.
“We are very pleased to continue to support the identification and development of young footballers through the NAB AFL National Academy,” he continued.
The NAB AFL National Academy is part 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.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- NAB AFL National Academy
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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