Elite standards, hydration and recovery, and football skills were the focus of the second Next Generation Academy Talent Squad session held at the Adelaide Football Club on Tuesday.
 
Crows Assistant Coach and former player James Podsiadly led the physical component of the session which was attended by 22 up-and-coming footballers from diverse backgrounds.
 
“The program is still in its infancy but to see the enthusiasm and the want from the players to get better was credit to them but also the concept," Podsiadly said.  

"No doubt individuals will learn more about what it takes to be an AFL player as they progress but we also hope they enjoy it."
 
Designed to increase the opportunities and pathways for young people from unrepresented backgrounds to participate in Australian Rules, the Academy is a joint initiative between the Crows and the AFL.
 
The inaugural Talent Squad, which is focused on 14-18 year-olds with a Multicultural or remote Indigenous background, comes together for training sessions once a month across 12 months to develop their football skills and education.
 
In addition to the Talent Squad, the Club will roll out more Next Generation Academy aligned programs in 2017 including carnivals, talent identification days and a shared services program in aligned areas.
 
Next Generation Coordinator Jarrod Meers will distribute more information about each of these initiatives to local clubs, schools and coaches in the new year.
 
The Crows Next Generation Academy operates in collaboration with the following aligned SANFL hubs: Central District, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Sturt, as well as the eastern side of the APY Lands.
 
The Multicultural Talent Squad will next come together in mid-January.
 
For more information about the Next Generation Academy click here