APFL Junior Football Academy
The Adelaide Plains Junior Football Academy was developed to prepare Junior Footballers for their next phase of their football career, whether that be increasing to higher age groups within their club or being selected by our SANFL partners (Woodville West Torrens and Central Districts Football Clubs).
The first year of the Academy was for all age groups under 17 years. We were unfortunately affected by Covid so the numbers dwindled throughout the 8 week program. In 2022 the APFL employed a coach (more about the coaching staff shortly) for the program and the results of that were seen when the APFL won their first ever Back to Back under 17 Nutrient Cup. The APFL were also more competitive at other under age competitions of Under 14 and 15. The results have been improving each year and our there are high hopes for our current 2024/25 Under 15 group.
The Academy has seen a marked improvement in on-field behaviors of players, many friendships and have been made and parents have reported that their children have improved not only as footballers but as young men.
As stated earlier the first two years the target groups were Under 17, this (2024/25) eight-week program was directed at players at under 15 level. A constant group of between 35 to 40 footballers from all eight clubs attended a 2 hour training session on Monday nights at Mallala Football Club
The Coach: Anthony Forby started coaching the Academy in 2022. Anthony’s passion for the game and the development of players is infectious. Anthony has played many games for suburban Clubs and won several association medals, he has also coached Division 3 Senior club to a premiership and was the founder and orchestrated the Inaugural female football club in suburban Adelaide. He coached Female Football for the North Adelaide Women's Development Side, Woodville West Torrens Junior development squads and also for the SMOSH West Lakes Football Club. Anthony has had a band of helpers, Phillip Preece for two years and Barry Murphy for the last two. Anthony and Barry have already been signed up for one more year as has Andrew Brimer from Hamley Bridge.
Moving forward the APFL Junior Football Academy is in good hands. If you want to know a little more go to our Facebook page
