2010! 2010!

YOUNG GUNS | New state academy underway
Welcome to the first edition of Young Guns.
Throughout the 2010 season we will follow
talented young players around the state and
provide insights into the progress of these players
through both the Tasmanian State League and
the Tasmanian State Under 16 and Under 18
Academy programs.
This year Tasmania has adopted a new National
Talent Development program known as the State
Academy Program. The State Academies exist
at Under 16 and Under 18 level and replace
the previous Under 16 and Under 18, or Tassie
Mariners programs.
This is a new approach to Talent Development
led by the AFL that will see 40 players in both the
Under 18 and Under 16 age groups selected to
form two State Academy squads that will train and
be developed collectively and individually over the
2010 season. It focuses more on the season long
development of individual players, rather than just
the preparation of a State team to travel to the
National Championships.
State Academy Program Coaching Staff
State Academy Under 18 Coach – Mathew Armstrong.
State Academy Under 16 Coach – Adam Sanders.
Northwest Academy Under 18 Coach – Richard Lakeland.
Southern Academy Under 18 Coach – Lance Spaulding.
Northwest Academy Under 16 Coach – Adam Aherne.
Southern Academy Under 16 Coach – Steve Gillbee.
David Kinsella is the Strength Conditioning &
Rehabilitation Manager. Dave relocated from WA
to begin this role in 2009 and has an enormous
impact on the preparation and management of
the players in the Academy programs as they build
and manage their bodies for the rigours of many
seasons of football ahead.
Players in the Under 18 age group trained
regionally around the state in a 6 week selection
period prior to Christmas. They have since been
completing up to 5 group and individual sessions
a week based on their individual development
programs and have attended two camps.
Critical to the development of players in the
program will be the opportunity to train and
play with their home TSL clubs. This is a terrific
environment for young talented players to
experience a different type of development and
is one of the advantages that our young players
have over some programs interstate, for example
the TAC Cup.
April sees all State Under 18 Academy
members playing the first four rounds with their
TSL clubs, prior to the beginning of a 7 game
Under 18 campaign.
To see more Photos of the State Academy programs
please visit our website at www.sportingpulse.com
then type “AFL Tasmania” into the search bar and go
to Photo Gallery on the menu
Nick Probert
High Performance Manager
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