The AFL has nominated 62 of the nations best young footballers to be included in the sixteenth AIS-AFL Academy, with two members of the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy gaining selection.
Liam Griffiths and Nicholas Coughlan have both been rewarded with Australian Institute of Sport Scholarships and willtake part in the AIS-AFL Academy Level One program. They will be coached by AFL Engagement and Talent Coordinator, Chris Johnson, who is a former three-time AFL premiership winner with the Brisbane Lions.
The players gained selection for their performances in the recent U16 National Championships that were held in Western Sydney at the Blacktown International Sportspark, and the squad will tour New Zealand in January of next year.
Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy manager, Lachlan Buszard said it was a terrific opportunity for both players to continue their development, and was an important step on the course to playing AFL football.
“It’s a great opportunity for both players and with three NSW boys, two from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and one from the Swans, in the AIS squad for the first time ever that shows considerable improvements in the footy and also the talent pathways and investment in the zone,” said Buszard.
“Nick Coughlan is an elite water polo player who now gets the opportunity to be a part of the highest level junior development squad you can make in the AFL. It’s a great chance for him to go away and experience life as an AFL player, get to go to the AFL Grand Final and then travel to New Zealand early next year for a development and travel experience.
“Liam Griffiths is a midfielder with elite aerobic capacity. He is one of the best runners in the program and has comealong in leaps and bounds in the past year. It has been amazing to see the development, he is desperate for the football, and kicks the football on both sides and this program will be sensational for his development.
“Both Liam and Nick have worked with for two years, in line with the AFL/NSW talented player program, which have both been important in these players development. Certainly having more access to the players through the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and having access to coaches like Ryan Houlihan and people like that have certainty helped show these players where they need to get to in order to play AFL football.
It will be an excellent experience for both players and a chance for both to put themselves alongside the best seventeen year olds for his size in Australia. More importantly working with the AFL NSW program to make sure we’re spending more time with the players and giving them opportunities to continually seek feedback and aspire to achieve at the highest level,” said Buszard.
