The 15 players selected in the South West Sydney Academy of Sport AFLW program won’t get much in the way of competitive game time over the next six months.
But they will receive a training regime that will help keep them on course to reach the ultimate prize: playing in the AFLW premiership.
The program will not only help the girls hone their individual AFL match-play skills, but also develop them as athletes and community citizens off the field as well.
Highly regarded AFLW coach Ben Robinson leads the academy program for a second consecutive year. The assistant coaches are Adam Sheldon and George Hannaoui.
Former academy athlete Annalysse Stevens has joined the coaching group, and will bring a wealth of knowledge after being a part of the GWS academy program herself.
“We are excited by the year ahead for our AFLW program,” says academy sport operations manager Stephen Craig.
“We have a great young group of athletes coming on board, and a strong coaching staff whose aim is to develop these athletes to experience the next step in their AFLW journey.
“The purpose of all 12 of the academy’s current sport programs is not on competing in regular season competitions, but in assisting the talented athletes within our region to progress to the next level,” he said.
“This is done in part by providing the additional training and off-field support that some clubs within the region do not have the time or resources to provide as a part of a regular season competition.’’
The academy programs feature not only on-field training, but targeted sports education sessions.
“This year we are including a focus on teaching the athletes correct techniques within strength and conditioning programs,’’ says Craig.
“And coming out of the interrupted years, there is a high degree of athlete wellbeing and support programs such as social media awareness, self-image and branding.
“Our aim is to develop these quality young athletes who will get to experience an all-round development at a level above their local team, and have the chance to go on and be a part of the GWS and AFLW pathways,’’ he says.
“Or they can head back to their local clubs primed for their competition season, and ready to be the best athlete they can be on and off the field.”
The 2022-2023 The Mac South West Sydney Academy of Sport AFLW squad is: Holley Alloggia (Liverpool), Susannah Cameron (Wollondilly), Victoria Galualii (Campbelltown), Ava Hilton (Wollondilly), Tarra Hine (Liverpool), Breanna Kelly (Campbelltown), Chloe McEwan (Camden), Tia Neave (Camden), Alexis Paulo (Campbelltown), Marley Rhodes (Liverpool), Addison Riley (Camden), Ayva Robinson (Wollondilly), Bridget Saunders (Campbelltown), Isabella Stead (Camden) and Brea Trevitt (Liverpool).
For more information on the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, please visit www.swsas.org.au or email sport@swsas.org.au .
