Recent graduates include Kurt Tippett, Sam Gilbert and Tom Williams who have backgrounds which include basketball, rugby, swimming and athletics. The Rookie Search aims to highlight athletes who have excelled in similar sports and develop their skills and understanding of AFL to ultimately play at the highest level.
Following the Independent Schools competition, approximately 60 high school students aged between 14 and 17 from Brisbane have been invited to attend. Those identified will be asked to attend an initial skill and fitness testing day which is followed by summer skills sessions in their local regions.
If successful with the regional training, the athletes may have the opportunity of playing in the under 18 State Championships with the future aim of making the State team for the National carnival.
As the AFL expands its horizons to new territories such as the Gold Coast and West Sydney, AFL Queensland is continually looking to increase its pool of talented athletes and develop them into AFL footballers.
The AFL Brisbane Lions Academy Co-ordinator Luke Curran is overseeing the program and is looking forward to seeing the next crop of future stars this year.
“The Independent Schools competition had over 80 teams competing this year in the Open, under 15’s, under 14’s and under 13’s,” said Curran.
“We have expanded the program this year to allow for under 15’s to take part in the Rookie Search which will give the athletes another year to develop their skills and knowledge of the game.
“It’s a great opportunity for these talented kids to have a go at a new sport and access the elite player pathway to hopefully get them into the AFL.”
The first session will be taking place at Coorparoo this Monday. For more information about the Athlete Rookie Search program, please contact Luke Curran on 3394 2433.
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