The 2024 AFL New Zealand Premiership will provide a number of talented players from the AFL New Zealand Academy the opportunity to participate in the Premiership as development players.
The opportunity will be utilised to further develop and manage the environment for young players and their introduction into senior football. The preparation they receive will potentially see them selected for one of the male or female New Zealand teams to tour to Sunshine Coast, Australia, in November 2024, to be part of the Pacific Cup and be drafted and playing in the 2025 AFLNZ Premiership as a full-time participant.
Recent players that benefitted from the programme include, Kieran Charlton (2020 U17 Player of the year) from Canterbury, Tyrone Stubbs and Xavier Bryham from Auckland and Will Anderson and Bailee Laurenson from Wellington.
Those announced are all born in the year 2006 (Boys)/ 2007 (Girls) and are not guaranteed to play in the premiership or play every week. The 2023 AFLNZ Women’s Premiership will be the first year the programme is trialled for girls born in 2007.
High Performance management will distribute development players to team’s week to week dependant on several factors including;
- The players stage of development
- The players physical preparedness and capability
- Approval from AFLNZ, the participants parents and the participant
Development Players will train with the Premiership group in their region along with their Academy commitments. Development opportunities on game day will be managed by AFL New Zealand and respective coaches this will include specific timing, rotation, opposition match ups and player review throughout the day.
Development Player Information for reference
Following on the inclusion of your son or daughter to participate in the AFL New Zealand Premiership as a Development Player, please read the information below and respond with permission for participation.
Development Player Schedule
Development Players will train with the Premiership group in their region along with their Academy commitments. Development opportunities on game day will be managed by AFL New Zealand and respective coaches this will include specific timing, rotation, opposition match ups and player review throughout the day. Premiership Schedule
Please note that this can change due to injury or availability of other Development Players and opportunities to play additional games may arise. If this does happen allocation will be done on review of your training attendance, performance in other games, development and availability.
When not playing in the Premiership you will attend the Academy Development sessions on the Sunday as per the Academy Schedule.
Team Allocation
Development players will be provided the opportunity to represent any of the Premiership teams and will be allocated to different teams to ensure they have the opportunity to be exposed to a number of different coaching styles through the course of the competition.
Notification
Parents and individuals will be notified of allocated to a game or team on the week of each round commencing February 19th 2023. Details of this will be provided weekly each Wednesday and you will be notified of any changes or additions to be made after this time.
Game Day
On game day Athletes will still be expected to follow the Premiership player itinerary that will be made available to them from team management on allocation.
Finances
There is no financial requirements for the development programme, with all your personal participation scheduled to games within the region you are based.
If you travel for a game that requires a flight, there will be associated costs. However, discussions will occur in advance with parents to ensure their agreement with the costs before naming the player to participate as a development player that week.
Change of availability or Injury
If your availability changes through the Premiership season for any reason inform football@aflnz.co.nz as soon as possible so changes can be made.
