A familiar name was amongst participants in the third Next Generation Academy Talent Squad session held at Adelaide Football Club on Tuesday.
Tyrone Milera – younger brother to Crows half-forward/wingman Wayne Milera Junior – was part of the group of 25 up-and-coming footballers taking part.
Under the watchful eye of Next Generation Coordinator Jarrod Meers, Crows players Charlie Cameron and Milera Junior helped take the Academy group this session for a football skills craft workshop. Both players ran similar craft drills to those that they participate in at Crows AFL training and provided great guidance to the younger players as to why they are used.
In addition, the Academy boys were taken through a series of base conditioning tests run by the Adelaide Football Club High Performance Team. These activities followed those often seen at the AFL Draft Combine.
Tyrone, who plays with Central District and Salisbury West Football Club, said he had already got a lot out of the Academy sessions.
“I’ve enjoyed it heaps so far. I’ve learnt about how AFL players train and live, and the coaches provided some tips too,” he said.
The 15-year-old has been playing football since he was four and has dreams of one day playing in the AFL with this brother.
“Wayne and I used to kick the footy all the time. He taught me how to play footy really,” he said.
“I’ve been to every one of his AFL games.
“These days he tells me lots of things but he keeps some to himself – I’ve still got things to learn.
“I’m keen to improve my fitness and learn more about the Club.
“It has been great to get a bit of a taste of what it takes to play AFL.”
Designed to increase the opportunities and pathways for young people from unrepresented backgrounds to participate in Australian Rules, the Next Generation 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 hubs.
For more information about the Next Generation Academy click here
Wayne Milera Junior with younger brother Tyrone Milera
