The upcoming AFL New Zealand Youth competition has opened the door for many young athletes to shine in the AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The 2017 Youth season begins in Auckland and Wellington on October 29th and was created to compliment the pathway for participants to enjoy and excel in AFL.
It has a focus on improving athletes’ skills and fitness within a fun environment. This is achieved through a training, game and development programme that highlights the necessary requirements throughout the pathway.
Each age group includes a combination of skill development – kicking, catching, passing and bouncing – game play and personal development that takes place throughout New Zealand. This combination will lead to a number of opportunities for participants including AFL New Zealand Academy selection, New Zealand representation, National Combine selection, access to talent scouts and AFL International Scholarships.
We highlight some of the players that have come have come through the Youth programme and transitioned into the AFL New Zealand Premiership.
Joel Brown
A member of the 2016 AFL New Zealand Premiership Team of the Year, Joel Brown from the Northern Suns spent the first two seasons playing in the Youth competition. Hard at the ball and fast on his feet, Brown is an elusive player who knows how to kick goals.
Joseph Alesich-Tamariki
Former Youth player Joseph Alesich-Tamariki from the Western Crows set the Premiership alight in 2016 kicking 19 goals and ending up being the Golden Boot runner up. His time in the Youth competition exposed him to multiple positions and a once forward pocket now finds himself making an impact as a defender.
Misilifi Faimalo
Misilifi Faimalo from Wellington has made huge bounds in AFL since his involvement with the Youth competition. A former number 1 draft pick for the Northern Suns, Misilifi was the youngest player selected in the Senior New Zealand side to travel over to Melbourne for the International Cup in August this year.
If you would like to register your son or daughter to play in the Youth competition, you can register by clicking the button below.
