North West Academy squad departing for DarwinWednesday, May 25, 2016 - 4:41 PM

WESTERN Australia’s North West Academy squad will participate in the Northern Australia Cup in Darwin from May 26 to 29.

The squad of 25, attached, will participate in two matches against the Northern Territory State 16s Academy at TIO Stadium. The first game will be played on Friday, May 26 at 8.30pm and the second on Saturday, May 27 at 6pm.

Up to six North West Academy players will then be chosen from these matches to play as part of a combined Northern Territory team at the AFL National 16s Championships.

The WA North West team will be led in Darwin by Head Coach Beau McDonald, who is a former Brisbane Lions Premiership player and Swan Districts WAFL player.

West Australian Football Commission Talent Programs Coordinator Clayton Anderson said the North West Academy program was first established in 2012 to cater for talented 15-17 year old players from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. 

“This academy provides opportunities for players to be part of the talent pathway, have the opportunity to be coached by high profile coaches, and be exposed to educational programs provided by the WAFC and the AFL,” he said.

“Some of the recent Academy graduates have included Adelaide Crows player Charlie Cameron, current State 18s player Sam Petrevski-Seton, Swan Districts player Braydon Hackett and State 16s Academy member Graydon Wilson.” 

Photo: The 2014 North West Academy squad.