AFL New Zealand Academy

The AFL New Zealand Academy has been created for both boys and girls to provide a pathway for athletes to excel through AFL.

The AFL New Zealand Academy commences in February 2026 for age groups born 2010 – 2013.

It’s the perfect opportunity for continued development from initial involvement at Secondary School or Youth Programme level, towards High Performance, New Zealand representative and international opportunities.

The 8-week programme is based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch training hubs, and focusses on improving athlete skills (kicking, catching, passing, and bouncing), accompanied with fitness, training, game and personal development programme

Features and Benefits

• Provision of additional resource for learnings or workshops, including;
  • Nutrition
  • Health
  • Drug awareness
  • AFL rules
  • AFL elite requirements
  • AFL skills
• Testing Session, with results sent to Sydney Swans AFL Academy
• Provision of AFL New Zealand Academy polo
• AFL New Zealand accredited coaching support

This will lead to a number of opportunities for participants including,

• AFL New Zealand Academy team selection
• New Zealand representation
• National Combine selection
• Access to talent scouts and International Scholarships

Members of the AFL New Zealand Academy are selected from:

• Secondary School Programmes
• Intermediate School Programmes
• School and Regional Combines
• Current AFLNZ Youth players
• Talent Identification Personnel
• High Performance Trials

To Register your Interest and AFL New Zealand Academy and New Zealand Teams Programme, please fill out the form below and we will be in touch with the next steps