Adelaide launches indigenous female football academy to find the next generation of AFLW stars

Adelaide has launched a new indigenous female football academy which underpins a long-term strategy to identify and develop talent for its AFLW team and broaden its Aboriginal programs.

The Crows launch their new Aboriginal AFLW academy at the Adelaide Football Club on Wednesday. Picture: Matt Turner

Adelaide has launched a new indigenous female football academy which underpins a long-term strategy to identify and develop talent for its AFLW team and broaden its Aboriginal programs.

The club, which earlier this year acknowledged mistakes surrounding cultural sensitivities in planning its pre-season camp, has since appointed its first full-time indigenous liaison officer and last night launched its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Female Academy.

The aim of the academy is to address a shortage of young female Aboriginal footballers making the transition to the top level.

Northern Territory draftee Danielle Ponter is the only Aboriginal player on the Crows’ women’s list compared with six in the men’s team following the arrival of Shane McAdam and Tyson Stengle in the off-season.

Danielle Ponter at TIO Stadium, Darwin, after being drafted into the Adelaide Crows’ AFLW team.

Ponter is the niece of retired Essendon great Michael Long and cousin of former Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli.

The academy is also designed to promote female coaches and the inaugural squad will be coached by former state level footballer Bronwyn Davey and the Crows’ AFLW club champion Chelsea Randall.

The academy involves 32 girls who successfully trialled for the program in Adelaide and Port Augusta earlier this year, and they will meet twice a month for sessions focusing on skill and football education.

Topics include nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation, recovery techniques and running training to allow them to get the most out of themselves.

Adelaide’s AFLW coach Matthew Clarke and players will also be involved in the sessions to highlight the steps involved in the pathway to the professional ranks.

“As an industry, we can always do more to help the next generation of players, coaches and administrators and that includes indigenous women,” Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan said.

“Our club wants to give these girls the best chance to fulfil their potential, and we think the academy will give them the best tools and support to do so.”

The academy is backed by the Cancer Council and Crows’ Children’s Foundation which will assist with resourcing, staff and equipment.

Adelaide AFL player Wayne Milera, left, academy member Breanah Bunce 14, Crows AFLW player Danielle Ponter, academy member Charissa Murray 14, Crows AFL player Eddie Betts and academy member Jaeanne Milera-Champion at the Adelaide Football Club. Picture: Matt Turner

“The academy furthers the work of the club and the foundation in inspiring and developing young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls through Australian rules football,” Children’s Foundation chairman Garry Winter said.

It follows Port Adelaide also launching a women’s Aboriginal AFL academy earlier this year which was an Australian-first.

Port Adelaide’s academy mirrors its men’s program which has been running for four years and includes 29 girls in Years 11 and 12 from across SA as well as Darwin and Alice Springs.