A NEW branch of WA's State Talent Academy, Western Australia North, kicked off with a camp for 29 players in Port Hedland on the weekend, with the aim of competing in Division 2 of the 2012 NAB AFL National 16s Championship in July.
The WA North Academy will be managed by the West Australian Football Commission with the support of the AFL and WAFC Regional Development staff, in partnership with the V Swans program and Garnduwa.
The initial 29 camp participants include 15 players from the Kimberley, 12 from the Pilbara and 2 from the Gascoyne region, who were each selected after competing at the North West Regional Carnival in October last year.
They arrived in Port Hedland on Sunday, January 22, where they were introduced to the State Academy program and undertook physical testing followed by two days of nutrition, leadership, fitness and skills sessions, a drug and alcohol education program and goal setting exercises.
WAFC High Performance Manager Craig Starcevich said the program would be an excellent opportunity for the North West’s most promising 15 and 16-year-old players to be introduced to the talent pathway, without having to relocate to Perth.
“The program will be run as part of the State Talent Academy and provide an exciting opportunity for the players to have direct access to an elite development experience,” Starcevich said.
The size of the squad will be increased over the next six months, with camps also scheduled in Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and Karratha.
WA NORTH PROGRAM
Port Hedland – January 22-25
29 players; 15 Kimberley, 12 Pilbara, 2 Gascoyne
Introduction to the State Academy (distribution of summer training apparel)
Testing: Ht, Wt, Beep Test
Diet, Recovery, Core Strength, Kicking Tech, Workload Monitoring
Broome – April 12-16
45 players; 21 Kimberley, 18 Pilbara, 6 Gascoyne
Review Camp 1 Curriculum (Diet, Recovery, Core Strength, Kicking Tech, Workload Monitoring)
Testing Combine: Ht, Wt, 20m sprint, VJ, RVJ, Agility, Beep Test, Kicking Test, Clean Hands Test.
Training Sessions and Trial Matches
Style of Play, Leadership, Goal Setting, Mental Resilience
Fitzroy Crossing – May 31 to June 4
25 – 30 players; approx 15 Kimberley, 12 Pilbara, 3 Gascoyne
WA North 16s to compete in the Kimberley Colts Championships
Pilbara invited to have a Colts team at the carnival.
WA North 16s to have Beep Test on arrival
Karratha/Port Hedland/Broome – July 4-5
25 – 30 players
Training Sessions, Team Education Sessions
