The second instalment of the Next Generation Academy (NGA) has commenced this week with an expanded program giving even more young and upcoming players the opportunity to train in an elite environment at the Adelaide Football Club.

Following the success of the Club’s pilot Academy programs in 2017, the NGA Elite Talent Squad has expanded from 30 young players to 50, and will include elite under 14 and 15 players from all backgrounds.

Players selected in this squad, and other NGA Development Programs, are recommended by the four SANFL clubs which are aligned to the Crows under the NGA concept - being Central District, Sturt, Glenelg and North Adelaide.

Next Generation Academy Coordinator Jarrod Meers said the expansion of the program demonstrates the success of the pilot and aligns with the AFL’s NGA principles of growing the game and increasing the talent pool by encouraging people of all backgrounds to get involved in the football.

“The idea of the elite talent program is to support our four aligned SANFL clubs, but also to better prepare and expand the overall talent pool,” Meers said.

“Our goal is to continue to grow our Academy programs so they are a significant part of the national and state talent pathways.”

The first session for the second talent squad is on December 12 at the Crows’ West Lakes headquarters.

There will be a total of nine Academy sessions and two game experiences for the squad, including a curtain raiser before the Round Seven AFL match between Adelaide and Carlton under lights at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, May 5.

The Club’s partnership with the University of South Australia also means the developing players will have exposure to additional high performance educational support.

As in 2017, Crows coaches and players will assist with the sessions, providing a significant impact for the young talent.

To find out more about the Crows Next Generation Academy, click here.

The 2018 NGA Elite Talent Squad is:

 

Jeffrey

Gonjoran

Glenelg

Zyton

Santillo

North Adelaide

Jacob

Lochowiak

Sturt

Weston

Rata

Glenelg

Ba Nah Htoo

Say

Glenelg

Isiah

Dudley

Central District

Malakai

Kartinyeri

Sturt

Russell

Rigney

Sturt

Zac

Bradley

Glenelg

Lam

Simon

North Adelaide

Sung Hoon

Ok

North Adelaide

Aiden

Holland

Sturt

Keynan

Harradine

Sturt

Luke

Bull

Sturt

Diing

Akur

Central District

Damon

Doody

North Adelaide

Kudzaishe

Motsi

Central District

Tyrone

Milera

Central District

Anzac

Lochowiak

Sturt

Terrence

Wilfred

Glenelg

Brydon

Osborne

North Adelaide

Leek

Akur

Central District

Kobe

Wilson

Central District

Will

Spain

Sturt

James

Willis

North Adelaide

Jayden

Davis

Glenelg

Saxon

Evans

Central District

Brad

Jefferies

Sturt

Kyron

Zechmeister

Glenelg

Max

Coorey

Glenelg

Morgan

Ferres

Sturt

Tom

Powell

Sturt

Riley

Smelt

Sturt

Archer

Bawden

Sturt

Jamieson

Murphy

North Adelaide

Jaden

Grosser

Glenelg

Cooper

Horsnell

Glenelg

Kaine

Baldwin

Glenelg

Kye

Dean

Glenelg

Sam

Potter

Glenelg

Daniel

Sladojevic

South Adelaide

Mihail

Lochowiak

Sturt

Luke

Edwards

Glenelg

Manny 

Liddy

Sturt