The Brisbane Lions Academy started in 2010 as one staff member with a bag of footballs and a laptop. This staff member was Luke Curran and he headed up the new system when the AFL partnered with the four Northern Market AFL clubs to introduce Academies in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.

Luke was the sole operator for the first 2 years and the system was led very much by the AFL as he was their employee until approx. 2018.  The first expansion of the program was the appointment of a Head Coach (Scott Borlace in 2012), later they would get some additional support with a part time Strength & Conditioning coordinator. Academy numbers in 2019 were approx. 350, with only 50 being female (an u18 group and the first year of an u16 group).

The structure remained largely the same until 2020 when, post covid, the AFL and AFL clubs agreed to merge the talent pathways in Queensland and NSW/ACT and full control of the Academies were ‘handed over’ to the clubs.

Currently we have a team of seven full-time staff, four part time staff and 85+ casual & volunteer coaches, managers, physios, sports trainers, and strength & conditioning staff servicing approximately 535 athletes.

Why does the Academy exist?
On the surface the Academy exists solely to provide draftable athletes to the AFL/W programs, however it is much more than that.  As well as providing draftable talent, we also exist to keep the best talent in Queensland, to develop athletes to better the standard of Community football and to provide opportunities for staff and volunteer Professional Development. 

 

Program Content

Level 3, Performance, 17-18 years
Boys - Squad training, followed by a squad reduction.  Players represent the Brisbane Lions Academy in a series of games vs other AFL Club Academies & Coates Talent League teams from Victoria.  From these games an Allies team is selected to play against Western Australia, South Australia, Vic Country & Vic Metro.  The Allies is team is made up of players from Queensland, NSW, Tasmania & Northern Territory.

Girls - Squad training, followed by a squad reduction.  Players represent the Brisbane Lions Academy in a series of games vs other AFL Club Academies & Coates Talent League teams from Victoria.  From these games a Queensland team is selected to play against Western Australia, South Australia, Vic Country & Vic Metro & the Allies.  The Allies is team is made up of players from NSW, Tasmania & Northern Territory.

Level 2, Development, 15-16 years
Boys & Girls - Squad training, followed by a squad reduction.  Players represent the Brisbane Lions Academy in a series of games vs some of the following teams; Sydney Swans Academy, GWS Giants Academy, Gold Coast SUNS Academy & Northern Territory.

Level 1, Academy Fundamentals, 13-14 years
Boys & Girls - Squad training, followed by a squad reduction.  Players represent their region of the Brisbane Lions Academy in a Round Robin Carnival of games vs regions of the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.

The key objectives of the Brisbane Lions Academy are to;

  • Continually improve a player’s weapons and growth areas; All players work in conjunction with their coaches and/or regional managers to create an Individual Development Plan.
  • Provide individuals with a holistic education; Current off field content includes, Understanding Sports Psychology & Wellbeing, Nutrition education & Respectful Relationships content.
  • Develop skilful independent decision makers; Players who can perform under pressure in games.
  • Bridge the gap between what a player knows and what they execute on game day; ultimately to win games of footy.

 

Further Reading:
2021 Academy Report
2022 Academy Report