AFL TALENT PATHWAY
AFL TALENT PATHWAY
STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
The following descriptions have been developed to ensure a clear understanding of the objectives and focus at each stage of a young player’s development. It begins with the Fundamental Stage (AFL junior), which includes all participants in the game and culminates in the Maintenance Stage (senior player). The transition stage, following a high performance career, generally refers to retirement from the game and is dependent on the individual’s circumstances and is not a considered to be a core stage nor is it a focus of this document, other than in the application of WAFL Club Academy exit procedures for those not drafted into the AFL.
Fundamental Stage (5 – 11 years) AFL Junior
Objective: participation and learning of fundamental movement and game skills.
The fundamentals of the game should be taught.
Program is well structured and fun. The emphasis is on the overall development of the participant’s fundamental motor skills and physical capacities using game related skill development activities. This is a critical period for motor skill development. Correct running, jumping and basic game skills should be taught, with a specific focus on establishing effective kicking mechanics. Participation in a range of sports is encouraged for all round physical and game sense development. Simple rules and ethics are introduced.
Draft Prospects Recommendations:
Skill Development minimum twice per week
Start developing nutrition habits
What should I prepare for?
Preparation for U12 State Schoolboys
How can we help?
Sampling Stage (12 – 14 years) AFL Junior / Youth
Objective: learning all the fundamental skills of the game and development of basic physical capacities, while continuing to develop all round sports skills.
Players learn how to train and consolidate the basic skills of the game. They are introduced to technical and tactical skills, including position specific, and basic performance capacities - e.g. warm up, cool down, nutrition, hydration, recovery, goal setting, etc. This is a critical period for physical and skill development. Focus of training is on learning rather than competing and a balance between training and playing is struck. Participants should continue to play a range of sports for all round development. This includes initial identification for regional development squads.Draft Prospects Recommendations:
Skill Development minimum twice per week
Start developing nutrition habits
What should I prepare for?
Preparation for U12 State Schoolboys
WAFL Development Squad Programs - Short programs run by WAFL Clubs with the aim of providing talented players and developing coaches the experience of being involved at a higher level while giving them an insight into their WAFL Club. Selection is based on the form and talent displayed in junior community competitions. For both males and females, there will be development squad programs for 14 and 15-year-olds. The WAFL also has a Country development squad carnival that caters to regional players.
•1x squad x60 players
•1-2x session per week (Mon/Wed @Pentanet Stadium 4:00pm-5:30pm
•1x Carnival match vs WAFL opposition (Oct school holidays)
How can we help?
Identification Stage (15 – 16 years) AFL Youth
Objective: development of higher level skills of the game and physical capacities and initial selection into state talent development programs.
Optimise development of fitness capacities, individual, positional and team skills. Develop higher level competition skills and provide appropriate competition opportunities to enhance learning and the opportunity to be identified for talent pathway programs.
Draft Prospects Recommendations:
Skill Development minimum twice per week
Start developing nutrition habits
What should I prepare for?
Preparation for U15 State Schoolboys/Schoolgirls
Preparation for U16 State
WAFL Development Squad Programs - Short programs run by WAFL Clubs with the aim of providing talented players and developing coaches the experience of being involved at a higher level while giving them an insight into their WAFL Club. Selection is based on the form and talent displayed in junior community competitions. For both males and females, there will be development squad programs for 14 and 15-year-olds. The WAFL also has a Country development squad carnival that caters to regional players.
•1x squad x55 players
•1-2x session per week (Mon/Wed @Pentanet Stadium 4:00pm-5:30pm)
•2x Carnival matches vs WAFL opposition (July school holidays)
WAFL Futures Program - This program is for 16-year-old boys who play in a short competition representing their WAFL Clubs
Female Futures Program - Represented squads are selected, and a short program is run by the two WA AFL Clubs (West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers).
State 16s Academy selection for boys and girls is based upon the form and talent shown in these two programs.
How can we help?
Specialising Stage (17 – 18 years)
Objective: development of higher level skills of the game and physical capacities and initial selection into state and national talent development programs, including the NAB AFL Academy.
Optimise development of fitness capacities, individual, positional, team and competition skills. Provide best competition program for development and opportunities to be drafted.
What should I prepare for?
Preparation for U15 State Schoolboys
Colts and Rogers Cup - This competition is for players aged under 19 and serves as a crucial pathway for developing talent in Australian rules football. It provides young players with the opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially progress to senior levels of the sport. The WAFL Colts and Rogers Cup competition is an important step for those aiming to play at the highest level (WAFL/AFL).
These competitions are instrumental in identifying and nurturing the best young talent in Western Australian football. Clubs, coaches, and talent scouts often closely monitor these competitions to identify and recruit promising
Draft Prospects Recommendations:
Skill Development minimum twice per week
Strength and conditioning twice per week
Start developing nutrition habits
Start developing running patterns
How can we help?