AFL Media Release – AFL Talent Pathway Programs & Second-Tier Football
The AFL has today written to all Clubs to advise of the new model for the AFL Talent Pathway Programs and Second-Tier Football in 2021, in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following a review undertaken over the past few months, the AFL Talent Pathway Programs have been remodelled to further align and simplify the talent pathway calendar, to provide Boys’ and Girls’ Programs with the same opportunities for elite development while also increasing their connection to community football.
The Talent Programs will continue to focus on identifying and developing players from across Australia and best preparing them for AFL and AFLW competition with the age groups for all AFL Talent Pathway Programs, including the NAB League Girls and Boys and the NAB AFL / AFLW National Championships, to be re-focussed from U16 and U18 Levels to U17 and U19 in 2021.
The draft age will remain at 18 for both Toyota AFL and NAB AFLW competitions.The Next Generation Academies (NGAs) – targeting Indigenous and multicultural players – will be implemented by the AFL Talent Pathway Team with support from AFL Clubs, while Northern Club Academies (Sydney Swans, GWS GIANTS, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast SUNS) will be provided with greater responsibility and investment.
This broke at 4;35pm more details to come
