Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy is set to launch its first regional hub in Murray Bridge as the program continues to expand.
The Academy, unveiled in November of last year, will target talented teens in the south-eastern community in partnership with the Sturt Football Club.
It’s among several regional and metro SANFL zones aligned to the Club’s Next Generation Academy as the Crows work alongside the Double Blues, Central District, Glenelg and North Adelaide to identify and develop promising young footballers across the state.
The Murray Bridge hub will be officially launched on Monday, March 20 at the Murray Bridge High School.
“The Murray Bridge Next Generation Academy initiative has been a work in progress since August of last year,” Next Generation Academy Coordinator Jarrod Meers said.
“The Adelaide Football Club and Sturt are on the same page, working together to discover and guide the next wave of young talent. It made sense for us to align with the Double Blues and maximise this opportunity.”
Learn more about Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy
The program includes a minimum of six skill and football education sessions with accredited coaching staff and culminates in a Next Generation Academy selection game at the end of April.
The pathway could see several new faces join the Crows Next Generation Academy Talent Squad.
"To have a structured and fully resourced program in the Murray Bridge region now will provide young footballers in the area with the opportunity to follow their football dreams,” Meers said.
“It’s an exciting time for the Club and the community.”
Plans are already underway to establish additional Next Generation Academy regional hubs in the Mid North and South East.
In other Academy news, it’s been confirmed that Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy Talent Squad will feature in an exhibition match against the SANFL Diversity Squad as a curtain-raiser to the Club’s Friday night blockbuster against Geelong in Round 18 at Adelaide Oval.
Crows Next Generation Academy Talent Squad member Kobe Wilson with several of his Sturt teammates, who all hail from Murray Bridge
