2016 DEPPRO State 18s Academy squad announcedFriday, April 29, 2016 - 9:09 AM

A talented group of 40 WAFL players have been selected to participate in the 2016 DEPPRO WA State 18s Academy program.

All players will be eligible for selection in the 2016 NAB AFL State 18s Championships in June.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD: DEPPRO 2016 State 18s Academy squad

WAFC State Talent Manager Adam Jones said the Academy was excited to welcome a new group of players and provide the opportunity for them to develop as part of the State Academy program.

“We are looking forward to working with this exciting young group and helping to develop them as footballers,” Jones said.

“I congratulate all of them on their selection in the Academy and the opportunity to showcase their talent throughout the program. Based on performances in the next two WAFL rounds and our three State trial games, players will then be selected from the Academy squad to represent Western Australia at the AFL National 18s Championship,” he said.

The 2016 AFL National 18s Championships will include five Division One teams – Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria Metro, Victoria Country and Allies, which will consist of the best players from Division Two teams NSW/ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmania following their games in May.

The Division One Championship will consist of five rounds, with each side to play four games including one against the Allies. WA will play its first game against Victoria Country on June 5 at Medibank Stadium.

2016 DEPPRO State 18s Squad

2016 NAB AFL State 18s Fixtures

WA v Vic Country – 11am, Sunday June 5 (Medibank Stadium)

SA v WA – 11.20am, Sunday June 12 (AAMI Stadium)

WA v Allies – 11.20am, Saturday June 18 (Domain Stadium)

Vic Metro v WA – 3.05pm, Wednesday June 29 (Simonds Stadium)         

*All local times

DEPPRO State 18s Academy Staff & Coaches

Adam Jones - State Talent Manager

Tony Micale - Coach Coordinator

Clayton Anderson - Talent Programs Coordinator

Aaron Ballantyne - State Talent Officer

Andrew Lockyer - Head Coach

Graeme Hadley - Chairman of Selectors

Darren Harris - Leading Teams

Bruce Willis - Team Manager

Linton Davies - Team Manager

Mark McGough - Assistant Coach

Darren Rumble - Assistant Coach

Ash McGrath - Assistant Coach

Mark Seaby - Ruck Coach

John Dorotich - Talls Program Coach

Wayne  Orsi - Game Plan & Strategy

Ben Piggot - Strength & Conditioning Manager

Harry Banyard - Strength & Conditioning Coach

Dr Tom Hill - Doctor

Dr Lionel Lim - Doctor

Nick Caputi - Physiotherapist

Michael Newbound - Physiotherapist

Andrew Stanford - Physiotherapist

Shane Yardley - Player Welfare

Brad Collard - Indigenous Player Welfare