Former Sydney Swans and Carlton defender Jason Saddington has been appointed Manager of the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy.
Saddington, who played 142 AFL games in a career spanning more than a decade, will replace former Essendon player Mark McVeigh who has joined the GIANTS as a defensive coach.
Named coach of the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team, Saddington has been in charge of the NSW/ACT Rams for the past three seasons.
GIANTS chief executive David Matthews congratulated Saddington on his appointment.
“Given his past role developing young talent in NSW/ACT we feel Jason is the ideal person to lead the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy,” Matthews said.
“Our academy is important to identify and develop local talent in NSW and the ACT. Zac Williams and Jake Barrett have already graduated to the GIANTS senior list and we have committed to Jack Steele (ACT) and Jeremy Finlayson (Riverina) in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft.
"It is essential for the game as a whole that we continue to grow the talent pool in NSW and QLD through the Academy system.
“Mark McVeigh has done a fantastic job heading up the PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy over the past 12 months and we have no doubt Jason will build on that foundation.”
Saddington said the importance of academies in NSW/ACT and Queensland could not be understated.
“It’s vital to offer extra support and dedicate time to develop these young players so we can grow the draft pool throughout the region,” Saddington said.
“I have a pretty good understanding of what it takes to become an AFL player through my time coaching at the Rams and I’m excited to build on the program already in place.
“We’ve already seen several PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy players find their way onto an AFL list and I want to ensure that trend continues.”
Saddington will officially assume the role on November 1 with Under-18 pre-season training commencing soon after.
