By Michelle Clyne
05 April 2007
The AFL wishes to advise the AIS-AFL Academy Squad will embark on its first tour to South Africa next week. The squad will play an international match against a South Africa team on Saturday April 14 in the North-West Province city of Potchefstroom
The players will also help launch a children’s participation program called “Footy Wild – the new Game that roars” in Potchefstroom, Sowetoand Cape Town. Over 1000 South African children will attend footy (Australian Football) clinics and will wear the colours of AFL Clubs Fremantle, West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood, who are partners in this exciting new program.
AIS-AFL Academy Coach Alan McConnell said the South African tour offers a fantastic opportunity for the young players to develop their football skills and enhance their personal development.
“Not only will the squad play an International match against the athletic South African team, they will experience life lessons that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It really is a once in a lifetime experience that will make them better footballers and individuals,” Mr McConnell said.
Assistant coaches Jason McCartney (Kangaroos AFL star and Bali bombing survivor) and Michael Voss (Brisbane Lions AFL Premiership Captain & Brownlow Medallist) will join the squad on the tour that will also include visits to Soweto, Robben Island and a Table Mountain climb.
AFL South Africa currently employs five people full-time, but this will grow to 13 over the coming months as the new sport for the new South Africa , expands to Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal and the Western Cape.
There are currently over 2500 “footy” participants playing the Australian game mainly in the North West Province
The tour commences with the AIS-AFL Academy Squad playing Perth Football Club in a curtain-raiser before the West Coast-Collingwood match on Saturday April 7 at Subiaco Oval.
AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the tour involved AFL players of the future.
“The AIS-AFL Academy has proven to produce future stars of the AFL with 30 players, including nine of the top 10, selected in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft coming from Academy squads,” Mr Sheehan said.
In 2007, 19 per cent or 137 players currently listed at the 16 AFL clubs have graduated through the AIS-AFLAcademy. Players include Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy, Brett Deledio, Adam Cooney, Brendon Goddard and Luke Hodge. Brownlow Medallist and Premiership Cup captain Chris Judd was a member of the 1999 intake.
The tenth AIS-AFL Academy squad includes 11 Victorians, eight West Australians, three Queenslanders, four South Australians, one player from the NSW/ACT region, one Tasmanian and two players from the Northern Territory.
The AIS-AFL Academy is part of a commitment made by the AFL and the Australian Sports Commission, through the Australian Institute of Sport, to support Australian Football’s best young players with their football and education development.
The AIS-AFL Academy offers 30 AIS scholarships following the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships. The Academy offers expert and personal skill development from the Australian Institute of the Sport and the AFL for 12 months and involved the opportunity to represent Australia at an Under 17 level in an International Youth Series.
The AIS-AFL Academy is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program.
Kevin Sheehan will be available for interview during the South Africa tour on his mobile: + 61 419 318 876.
Issued by Michelle Clyne
AFL Publicity & Promotions Manager
03 9643 1926
AFL South Africa 