The NFNL offers a junior academy for elite junior players.
This program is designed to identify and develop elite young athletes within our league.
Please find below all the necessary 2025 information regarding age groups, try out dates, nominations, and the selection process.
Clubs are responsible for nominating athletes and in addition ensuring all nominated players can compete in an elite environment and are prepared to meet the program’s rigorous training commitments if selected.
Program Fees (Parents Note): Clubs at their discretion may choose to pay the league program fees for their club nominated player or a club may choose to pass on any program fees incurred to parents to then reimburse the club.
Age Groups
Under 14 Boys: Birth Year 2011
Under 15 Boys: Birth Year 2010
Under 15 Girls: Birth Years 2010 & 2011
Club Nominations for Try Outs
Maximum: Each club may nominate up to 10 players per age group.
Submission: Club leaders must submit nominations via the online form.
Submission Deadline: Sunday, 8 December 2024 (no late entries or additional nominations beyond the maximum allowed per club will be accepted).
Try Out Dates
When: Sunday, 16 February & Sunday, 23 February 2025
Where: La Trobe Sports Oval
Session Times: To be communicated to parents of club nominated players at the end of January 2025 via email.
Try Outs – Additional Information
All try out players will receive an NFNL Academy training tee with a numbered ID during the first session.
Cost per player: $65 (invoiced to clubs).
Players must be fully committed and attend both try out sessions.
Academy Phases and Selection Process
Post-Try Out Training Squad
Following the two trial weekends, players that have performed well at the try outs will be invited to continue in the Training Squad at La Trobe Sports Oval.
Training Squad Dates:
Sunday, 2 March
Sunday, 16 March
Sunday, 23 March
Cost per player for the 3-week squad: $100 (invoiced to clubs).
Final Academy Selection & Program
At the conclusion of the training squad phase, the final 52 players per age group will be selected for the Final Academy Squad. These players will participate in a 10-week program and compete in the AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series (MJDS).
Academy Training & Match Schedule
- Sunday 30 March – Induction and Training session @ La Trobe Sports Oval
- Monday 7 April – Combine testing @ La Trobe Sports Stadium (Under 15 Boys and Girls Squad players only)
- Weekly training session April – June at Bundoora Park.
Representative Matches:
Game 1: Wednesday, 28 May (Night matches)
Game 2: Saturday, 7 June
Final Game: Monday, 9 June
Player Kit & Costs for Final Academy Squad
Cost per player: $250 (invoiced to clubs).
Kit Provided to All Selected Academy Players:
NFNL training shorts (to be worn with training tee ID at sessions)
NFNL game day jumper
NFNL game day shorts
NFNL game day socks
