THE Western Bulldogs have been allocated money by the AFL to launch a youth football academy.
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The Next Generation Academy will be hosted across the state in different regional cities.
The Wimmera will host a launch day at the Horsham City Oval on Monday, June 27 at 2.30pm. The event will run until 5pm.
Participants are required to wear suitable footballing attire as well as clothes for an indoor session.
Each Victorian AFL club has been allocated funds to attract young footballers to an academy to assist the players with their development.
Ballarat, Warrnambool and Footscray will all host launch days as part of the initiative.
Next Generation Academy co-ordinator David Newton said every age group from 11 to 16 could participate.
“Both boys and girls are welcome,” he said.
“To start there will be an on-field skill session and then an off-field wellbeing and leadership session.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone to participate in the sport.”
The Bulldogs are working with the North Ballarat Rebels as part of the leadership program.
“Brett Goodes and Phil Partington will be there,” Newton said.
“In 2016 we are providing awareness that there is something new on the horizon for Australian rules for people that do or do not play.
“In 2017 our goal is to get as many children involved in the academy as possible.”
Newton said the academy had looked towards the future but had not set anything in stone until it determined the participation rate.
“We would like to go into a more specialised coaching development program like North Melbourne has done. North Melbourne has set up a 10-week training academy to help improve young and talented footballers,” he said.
“We can see the potential in this region and we hope to engage in the communities.
“It’s a great pathway into girls football as well with the women’s competition starting up next year.”
There is potential the academy will lead to a selected group participating in a day camp at the Whitten Oval.
Children that attend the academy session on Monday will receive a ticket to the Western Bulldogs match against Collingwood in round 21 as well as a Bulldogs cap.
Newton said he encouraged everyone to register online so the organisers could cater for the amount of people in attendance.
To register online visit afl.com.au/bulldogsacademy