The Adelaide Football Club will roll out the second instalment of its Next Generation Academy this November, with more young, talented footballers set to benefit from an expansion of the program.

In 2017, the first year of the Club’s Academy, more than 900 participants took part in talent squads, carnivals and engagement programs held across South Australia.

Season two of the Academy, which kicks off with the launch of the Regional Academy Talent program in Port Augusta on November 7, will see even more activations and participants involved.

The Next Generation Academy (NGA) programs are aimed at identifying, supporting and increasing opportunities for up-and-coming footballers to further extend their football development in an elite AFL setting.

Through the NGA the Crows hope to increase the talent pool, retain and educate young AFL footballers, as well as potentially find future draftees.  

NGA programs to run across the next 12 months include:

  • The introduction of an elite talent squad (a 10 week talent acceleration program)
  • An increased number of individualised talented player programs
  • Three regional talent squads, with a Mount Gambier squad to complement the existing Murray Bridge and Port Augusta squads
  • An U14 & U15 SANFL NGA Club Challenge Shield to be run at Football Park run in partnership with the Crows’ SANFL aligned clubs
  • An expansion of the successful schools carnivals and engagement program, with more schools and participants to take part
  • The extension of the Father Son Academy; and
  • The introduction of a Father Daughter Academy.

In the first year of the program  a number of talented footballers who qualify for future NGA Draft Concessions have been identified by the Club. These players will be monitored and supported by the Crows’ NGA programs to ensure they progress through the relevant state and national talent pathways and are prepared for rigours of AFL football.

In addition, as part of the Club’s new partnership with University of South Australia, the UniSA Connect Education team will be working closely with the NGA in 2018 to drive further excellence in sports science.   

For more information about the Crows’ NGA programs visit www.afc.com.au/NGA