Entering our fourth year of operation, the Hyundai Brisbane Lions Academy continues to grow in numbers. Staff, coaches and players involved have all increased as has the training and development program that underpins the week to week operations.
After starting out in November 2009 with 1 full time staff member and approx. 75 players, in the year 2013 this has grown to 3 full time staff members, 15 casual development coaches, and 6 consultant support staff (sports trainers, physiotherapist, fitness, psychology etc.)
As players progress through the Academy program they are exposed over time to various development tools such as Skill Analysis, Medical & Fitness Screening, Individual Development Plans, regular Group and Individual Review Sessions, Periodised Training Plans, and Personal Development sessions covering various on and off field topics.
THE PLAYERS:
This year is our first full year of operation in terms of age group of our players. Previously we have been building up to this year as the GC Suns have had priority access to any QLD draft age talent as part of their start up concessions.
Our final numbers of players will be around the 200 mark this year spread between our youngest at 12 and oldest at 19yr of age. The bulk of our playing group is aged between 15 – 17 yrs of age.
Geographically our boys are spread over our 4 training centres of Brisbane (approx. 60%), Sunshine Coast (20%) and Darling Downs and Wide Bay (10% each)
UNDER 18 SUMMER PRORGAM:
Recently 25 of our 17-19yr old Academy boys played two games against our Gold Coast counterparts as a culmination of our 5 month summer development program. These games also doubled as the initial selection process for the QLD U18 “Scorpions” State Squad that will go on to play at the AFL National U18 Championships in May – July.
After a disrupted couple of weeks training wise leading into game one due to Brisbane’s record wet spell, our boys recorded a strong first up win by 34 points at Yeronga. A 6 goal burst in the second quarter saw our lead open out to 41 points at half time and despite an improved performance from the Suns our boys maintain their composure in the second half to record a good win with plenty of positives to like from the players on the day.
Game two was played in hot conditions down at Labrador AFC and after solid four quarter effort the boys completed a clean sweep of victories victory over the Gold Coast Suns Academy by 55 points, winning 17-8-110 to the Suns 7-13-55.
