WA talent model to set national benchmarkFriday, September 1, 2017 - 4:54 PM

An enhanced talent model will be launched for the 2018 football season as WA football sets its sights on being the nation’s best State for talent development.

The revised talent model, which has been developed by the West Australian Football Commission in partnership with the AFL and nine WAFL clubs, represents one of the key reforms from the WAFC’s Structural Review of Football, which was launched in March 2017.

The model will see player development aligned with the AFL’s National Framework and Talent Development Philosophy, to give WA’s most talented players the best possible chance to play at the elite AFL level or in the nation’s best State League competition, the WAFL.

 WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said that the input of the WAFL clubs and the AFL will ensure that a best practice model can be delivered for WA’s talented footballers, whilst respecting the critical role WAFL clubs play within WA football.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to set up a talent model here in WA that sets the benchmark nationally,” he said.

“We’ve produced some of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen in Western Australia, and we’re confident that by working in partnership with the AFL and our WAFL clubs, we will take a big step towards once again setting the standard nationally with this new model.”

The new framework will maximise each player’s development potential through the WA talent pathway and include participation in a high quality WAFL Colts competition, which will be managed by the WAFC.

The AFL, via national talent staff, have provided additional input to ensure that the new WA talent pathway takes learnings from other States and becomes a best practice model nationally.

The WAFL clubs and the WAFC have worked together to refine the model over the past three months to ensure talent outcomes are maximised while ensuring Colts players also remain connected to their WAFL clubs.

While improving WA’s performance at the AFL draft has been a key objective of the revised model, all parties have been committed to delivering a model which also emphasises the transition to senior WAFL football if talented players are not drafted by an AFL club.

Key outcomes to ensure a strong on-going connection to WAFL clubs is achieved will include:

• Colts teams will continue to wear WAFL club jumpers & apparel, with club sponsors on jumpers
• Training at their WAFL club venue
• The ability to train with their WAFL club’s senior squad
• Ability to be selected to play senior WAFL football
• Attending WAFL club functions and events

East Fremantle CEO Todd Shimmon, who was part of the joint project working group, acknowledged the value of the partnership approach being undertaken.

“We’ve been pleased with the level of engagement between the WAFL clubs and the WAFC as we’ve built out this model,” Shimmon said.

“Respecting our role in WA football while undertaking the change necessary to deliver better talent outcomes for the whole industry has been our emphasis and we think we’ve helped deliver that.”

WAFL Colts coaches and Talent Managers will be directly employed by the WAFC under the revised model but continue to be based at their respective WAFL clubs. They will report through to WAFC Executive Manager Talent and Football Operations Jon Haines, with a focus on professional development ensuring that WA talent is well prepared for the rigors of AFL and WAFL football.

AFL Head of Talent Tristan Salter said the AFL was strongly supportive of the new direction being taken with WA talent.

“We’re excited about the change underway in Western Australian football,” Salter said.

“Ensuring we can deliver consistent, best practice talent development across Australia is critical to us. We look forward to reviewing the final model from the WAFC so we can determine how we can invest to help deliver this consistency and best practice within WA.”

Mr Taylor said that coaches will be employed part-time and Talent Managers full-time, with the employment review and appointment process now set to commence in partnership with each WAFL club.

“A Talent Advisory Committee will also be established at each WAFL club that will include representatives from the WAFC and the club to provide support and advice and ensure the model is a true partnership that delivers all of the mutual benefits we are aiming to achieve,” he said.

“’I’d like to thank all of the WAFL clubs, and particularly the five CEOs that were part of the talent working group, for their ongoing commitment to the process.”

The model’s ongoing success will be measured by the total number of AFL draftees, WAFL club player retention, player satisfaction and AFL feedback which will be assessed via an annual perception survey with WAFL and AFL clubs.

Photo: The Deppro WA State 16s celebrate their 2017 AFL National 16s Championship victory.