How SANFL clubs develop young men to be their best
SANFL clubs are committed to developing young footballers already well-educated in both the sport and in life.
WHEN Essendon coach John Worsfold handed West Adelaide product Aaron Francis his red-and-black jumper at the national draft, the Bombers were receiving a young footballer already well educated in the sport and life.
The highly-promising youngster had been heavily involved in the Bloods’ development programs since the under-13s. He had risen through the grades to be a highly-regarded league player, convincing the Bombers he deserved to be taken with such a lofty pick at No. 6.
Francis had also been a member of the Bloods’ under-16 squad when it was compulsory to be involved in the welfare program comprising talks on such topics as alcohol, drugs, driving and social media.
“It is not just about being a footballer, we want to make sure off the field we develop good men,’’ Bloods football manager Paul Marks said. “We want them to become responsible footballers.’’
The Bloods, coming off a premiership season, lost Francis, Riley Bonner, Matthew Hayball, Tom Keough, Will Snelling and Jonathon Beech to the AFL. Former under-18 coaches Jarrod Meers and Greg Mellor have been recruited into the AFL system.
As well as the metropolitan development programs, the Bloods have established academies in the Riverland and Roxby Downs with former Adelaide star Jason Porplyzia co-ordinating the junior work. There are also the school holiday programs run by league players with teaching or level one and two coaching qualifications.
Sturt’s ambition is to field a league team containing at least 70 per cent of players developed in their programs.
Highly-respected former Norwood under-18 coach David Oatey has been lured to Unley to oversee the junior development, while Chris Trapp will take charge of the under-18 side as a full-time employee.
“We are putting more resources into our Hills and River Murray pathways,’’ Double Blues football manager Shane Grimm said. “We are also finetuning our squads to become more elite. We are about developing league and AFL footballers.’’
SANFL general manager of football Adam Kelly said the league is celebrated for cultivating elite pathways and supporting players to strive to be the best footballer they can be.
“The club network in South Australia can be rightfully proud for the continuing recognition of talent nurtured across the State,’’ he said. “In the past five years, 18 per cent of players drafted into the AFL have been from SANFL clubs. This is a particularly strong result when you consider in 2015, as a percentage of total club participants across Australia, SA represents 14 per cent.’’