Murray Bushrangers partner up with AFL Goulburn Murray to launch new-look football academy

The academy will be rebranded as the AFLGM Bushrangers Youth Academy and will initially be offered to promising young male and female footballers across the under-14 and under-15 age groups in the Bushrangers’ catchment zone.

Nominations are now open.

The respected talent pathway program, which has helped produce AFL guns like Shepparton’s Lachie Ash, has undergone a minor revamp as the game emerges after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new partnership is to help deliver a more condensed pathway program for the region’s plethora of emerging talents.

AFLGM regional manager Shaun Connell said he was excited by the new format, which would have the football content delivered by the Murray Bushrangers.

“Following a pause in the academies over the past few years, we are pleased to be partnering with the Murray Bushrangers to deliver the 2023 academy,” Connell said.

“The aim will be to deliver a high-quality development program for players from affiliated leagues and clubs to assist their journey in the talent pathways.”

Clubs affiliated with AFLGM have now started receiving nomination forms, with a full testing day scheduled for Sunday, April 2.

The Bushrangers’ Youth Academy boys program will launch first, with nominations for the girls’ academy offering to be released during the second school term.

The aim is to eventually expand to include under-13s.

Bushrangers’ under-18 boys head coach Mark Brown said the academy would simply build on what was already a brilliant offering in the talent pathway space.

“AFLGM have set the standard with their academy offering over the past decade,” Brown said.

“It’s been one of the state’s best academies. It’s been the perfect grounding for young players coming through the pathway system, equipping them with the necessary tools to carve out a great career.”

The biggest change to the new program is how the content is delivered.

In the previous iteration of the academy, players would meet one night a week during term one of school for a training session.

Players in the Bushrangers Youth Academy will now connect with the program in “clump days” throughout the term one and term two school holidays.

Brown stressed that the academies would in no way impact on community football.

“Players will attend three days during the second week of term one school holidays and then another three days during the second term school holidays,” Brown said.

“There will also be a couple of touch points throughout the term two period. The contact hours will be similar, just hopefully offered in a more user-friendly way.

“The aim is to give free air to their local clubs who play a massive role in their development and not add to players’, parents’ and coaches’ midweek commitments.”