The West Australian Football Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced coach Tim Gepp as Director of Coaching for WA’s State Talent Academy programs, including the State Women’s, State 16’s, State 18’s and North West Academy.

WAFC Director of Pathways and Competitions Grant Dorrington said Gepp was an excellent appointment that would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to WA’s Academy programs both on and off the field.

“Tim will be a highly valuable member of the State Academy and help to ensure that WA talent programs and coaches continue to be at the leading edge,” Mr Dorrington said.

THREE promising WA talents have been added to AFL lists during the AFL Trade Period.

Claremont’s Jack Martin (pictured), Tom Lee and Jesse Hogan were all part of pre-draft selection trades with Greater Western Sydney – Martin going to the Gold Coast, Lee to St Kilda and Hogan to Melbourne.

Gold Coast won the rights to WA State 18s star Martin, 17, after trading its second pick in the National Draft for the No.1 selection in the GWS mini-draft.

Through the same scenario that saw the Suns draft Jaeger O'Meara last year, Martin will join the club a year ahead of being able to debut in 2014.

WA players produced promising results at the NAB AFL National Draft Combine in Melbourne this week, with consistent top five performances in a number of skill and agility tests.

Among those to impress was a trio of Tall Defenders in Harrison Marsh (East Fremantle), Nick Rodda (West Perth) and Kamdyn McIntosh (Peel Thunder), who all excelled in different areas.

RESULTS HIGHLIGHTS

Harrison Marsh (East Fremantle) – top 5 repeat sprints

Kamdyn McIntosh (Peel Thunder) – top 5 beep test (14.7)

Nick Rodda (West Perth) – top 12 for 20m sprint

Laine Wilkins (Peel Thunder) – top 5 vertical jump, clean hands and Nathan Buckley kicking test.

Western Australia’s State 16s and 18s celebrated the conclusion of a successful NAB AFL National Championships campaign with an official function at Patersons Stadium on Monday, August 27.

The group of 72 elite youth footballers were joined by parents, AFL recruiters, West Australian Football Commission staff and WAFL staff to recognise some of the individual performances of the year and the overall success of the State Academy.

Some memorable moments from the Championships included the State 16’s National Championship win, the State 18’s convincing win over Vic Country, which was the first in three years, as well as a number of outstanding individual performances.

A total of 12 West Australian players have been offered places in the elite AIS/AFL Academy program for 2013 to enhance their sporting, personal, educational and vocational opportunities.

“This is a great result for the WAFC player pathway and as a state we continue to produce elite footballers. In recent years the pathway has provided an increased representation within the AFL/ AIS Academy. This year demonstrates again that the WAFL development programs are producing first round draft picks, with past draftees including Anthony Morabito, Brad Sheppard, David Swallow, Harley Bennell, Reece Conca, Jaeger O Meara and Steve Coniglio”,  State Academy Manager Guadagnino said.
The AIS/AFL Academy curriculum delivers upon six core components including physical preparation, skill development, nutrition & recovery, personal development, athlete & career education and AFL policy.

Scholarship holders remain in their home states but gather for three national camps and other training programs at various times during the course of the year. Squad members are also given the opportunity to represent Australia in an international tour.