The AIS-AFL Academy Squad will depart for a 12-day tour of Europe on Saturday April 16.
Lead by High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin, the 30-player squad will travel to Italy, England and Turkey.
Michael O’Loughlin said the elite under age players will experience world class facilities and coaching in Italy.
“It is fantastic we have the chance to train at the new AIS European training base in Varese. The players will have time with Australian cycling champion Michael Rogers and other high performance coaches who will be working with Australia’s 2012 Olympic athletes.
“Not only will the majority of players represent their country for the first time against AFL Europe, they will attend the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day, which is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Michael said.
AIS-AFL Academy mentors Matthew Lloyd and Brett Kirk, AFL Director of Coaching Peter Schwab and AFL Ambassador Robert DiPierdomenico will also be part of the tour.
The tour highlights:
April 17-20:Training at the new AIS European training base in Varese, northern Italy
April 23:Australia Under 17 v European Legion in London. There are now 17 affiliated countries playing Australian football. AFL Europe’s Under 21 side will play for the first time
April 25:Attending the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove in Turkey
The AIS-AFL Academy Squad will receive their Australian guernseys at a function Thursday night at Etihad Stadium.
The squad will play two matches in Australia:
Friday April 15:Australia Under 17 v Geelong VFL at the MCG as a curtain-raiser to the Richmond-Collingwood match
Saturday April 30: Australia Under 17 v Bendigo Bombers at Windy Hill
Last Modified on 14/04/2011 16:54