WA players receive AIS-AFL scholarshipsWednesday, August 7, 2013 - 3:47 PM

A total of 11 WA players have been named in the 2013-14 AIS-AFL Academy squads.

Overall, 61 players from around Australia will receive an AIS-AFL Academy scholarship and will come together four times over the next 12 months for training camps. Both squads will also travel overseas.

The Level One squad was selected following the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. They will be coached by AFL Engagement and Talent Co-ordinator Chris Johnson.

AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin will coach the Level Two squad. Players in this squad are eligible to be drafted in 2014.

WA Players

Level One - Kade Stewart (South Fremantle/Katanning), Callum Ah Chee (South Fremantle/Kelmscott), Yestin Eades (Swan Districts/Midvale), Greg Clark (Subiaco/Sorrento Duncraig)

Level Two - Jarrod Pickett (South Fremantle/Jandakot), Clem Smith (Perth/Wesley College), Bradley Walsh (Peel Thunder/Rockingham), Ryan Lim (Claremont/Hale School), Jermaine Miller-Lewis (South Fremantle/Armadale), Matthew Ah Siu (South Fremantle/Bullcreek), Sam Bevan (Claremont/Hale School)

Key Level One dates:

Melbourne       September 25-29

Gold Coast      November 21-28

New Zealand  January 17-28

Key Level Two dates:

Melbourne       September 25-29

Gold Coast      November 21-28

Melbourne       January 5-9

Europe             April 5-20

The AIS-AFL Academy commenced in 1997. Since that time, 33 graduates have played in a premiership, 25 have been named an All-Australian at least once, 18 have won their club’s best and fairest, 11 have been the number one selection at the NAB AFL Draft, four have won the NAB AFL Rising Star and three have won the Norm Smith Medal. 

In 2013 there are 204 AIS-AFL Academy players on AFL lists. These players have played a combined 13,827 AFL games and have kicked 9507 goals.

National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the Academy program prepares players for the rigours of AFL football.

“The players will experience elite training and mentoring that will help their development both on and off the field. Both squads will also represent their country overseas which is unique in our game.

“We are constantly striving to give the players the best preparation for life as a professional athlete,” he said.