A new era in the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy has been launched, thanks to the introduction of the NAB Under 18’s League.
The NAB League is a rebranding of the Victorian Under 18 competition, formerly known as the TAC Cup. But this time, teams from Queensland New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Tasmania will be able to compete.
Luke Curran, Academy Manager, says this is a golden opportunity for his Lions Academy members to travel down to Victoria and line up against the best in the country for the first time.
“Now our players are being exposed to playing against some of the best Victorian players, which is good to see how they stack up,” Curran said.
“It also helps recruiters and different clubs compare players from around the country.
“Before our players have been a little isolated up here in Queensland but now playing with, and against people from other states it is going to be great for their development.”
Lions Academy Coach Josh Hunt is equally convinced that the new league will widen the future prospects for the Lions Academy players.
“It is great to be exposed outside of the Queensland bubble, as some of our players have never played against players of that standard,” he said.
“From a recruiting and talent ID point of view it gives us an opportunity to assess our players against some of the best players around the country.”
The boys had a victory in their first game in Sydney against GWS but suffered a loss last week against the Suns.
Hunt said he believes his young men can be strong contenders against the ‘traditional’ football teams.
“We’ve had one good win and then one performance on the weekend where we probably didn’t stick to what we needed for long enough,” he said.
“But, I’m quietly confident that if we go about things the way that we can, that we will compete well and give it a shake.”
Both the Under 18 and Under 16 Lions Women Academy sides will face fellow Queensland rivals the Gold Coast Suns this weekend.
2019 marks the first year the Under 16 women will compete in a standalone program. Curran says this is a great step forward towards expanding the AFLW.
While the Under 18’s women’s team will play a practice match ahead of their Academy series in Coffs Harbour in May.
Lions Academy matches coming up:
Sat 13th April
= U16 Girls Lions vs Suns, 11:00am @ Surfers Paradise
= U18 Girls Lions vs Suns, 1:30pm @ Surfers Paradise
Sun 14th April
= U18 Boys GC Suns vs. Oakleigh Chargers (NAB League Game) 10:45am @ Southport
= U18 Boys Lions vs. Eastern Ranges (NAB League Game) 1:15pm @ Southport
Sat 27th April
= U18 Boys Lions vs. Sandringham Dragons (NAB League Game) 10:45am @ Sandringham
= U18 Boys GC Suns vs. Eastern Ranges (NAB League Game) 1:15pm @ Sandringham
Sun 28th April
= U16 Boys Lions vs Suns, 11:00am @ Broadbeach > game 1 of QLD U16 State Squad selection process
