AFL Sydney Under 22’s Representative Program – Update
2024 Male and Female Under 22 Summer Series Update:
In line with AFL NSW/ACT and AFL Sydney’s recommitment to top end talent and representative football, an Under 22’s Summer Series will be conducted in March 2024 between; AFL Sydney (U22), AFL Canberra (U22), the Joss GIANTS Academy and the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
The three-match series will be played at venues across Sydney and Canberra and will provide an opportunity for the ‘Best 22 – Under 22’ from AFL Sydney to compete against top level talent from across the State and Territory.
Coaching Appointments:
AFL Sydney are pleased to announce the appointment of our coaching panels for the AFL Sydney Under 22’s Representative Programs;
2024 Male Under 22’s Representative Program;
Head Coach: Ben Roberts – Pennant Hills Demons (Men’s Premier Division Head Coach, 2023 AFL Sydney Premier Division Coach of the Year)
Senior Assistant: Kevin Dyson – UTS AFC Bats (Men’s Premier Division Head Coach, 2019 Under 19 Division One Premiership Coach)
2024 Female Under 22’s Representative Program;
Head Coach: Kellie Nolan – UTS AFC Bats (Women’s Division One Head Coach, 2023 BHP Community Coach of the Year)
Assistant Coach: Eleanor Rugg – Pennant Hills Demons (Women’s Premier Division Playing Assistant Coach, Swans Academy Coach)
In addition, AFL Sydney are excited to announce we have secured the support of Mark McVeigh (2024 Sydney Swans Assistant Coach, 2023 Allies Head Coach), Katherine Smith (AFL NSW/ACT Women and Girls Lead, Current GWS GIANTS AFLW Player) and Ryan O’Keefe (AFL NSW/ACT Coaching Development and Education Lead) as coach mentors.
Mark and Ryan will support the development and implementation of the AFL Sydney Male Under 22’s Representative Program, with Katherine and Ryan supporting the development and implementation of the AFL Sydney Female Under 22’s Representative Program.
Player Invitations:
Men’s and Women’s Premier Division Clubs have been provided the opportunity to nominate players to join the squad, with additional players invited by the league including from Divisional Clubs. Nominated players have been notified via email with confirmation of the final squad to be published in late January.
To be eligible for selection in a Summer Series match players must be registered with an AFL Sydney Club (or on permit from an AFL Sydney Juniors Club if age eligible for Junior football) by no later than March 1, 2024.
Training Program and Matchdays:
The training program will commence in February and include five (5) sessions, with three (3) matches scheduled as follows;
Matchday 1:
Saturday, March 2 @ Blacktown International Sports Park, Sydney
AFL Sydney Female Under 22’s v Swans Academy – Match times are TBC
AFL Sydney Male Under 22’s v Swans Academy – Match times are TBC
Matchday 2:
Saturday, March 9 @ Canberra Venue (TBC)
Giants Academy v AFL Sydney Female Under 22’s – Match time is TBC
Giants Academy v AFL Sydney Male Under 22’s – Match time is TBC
Matchday 3:
Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 @ Blacktown International Sports Park, Sydney
AFL Sydney Male Under 22’s v AFL Canberra Male Under 22’s – (Saturday) Match time is TBC
AFL Sydney Female Under 22’s v AFL Canberra Male Under 22’s – (Sunday) Match time is TBC
AFL Sydney matches in the Under 22’s Summer Series, will be streamed live on the AFL Sydney Facebook Page.
AFL Sydney are excited to re-launch our top end talent and representative programs in Season 2024. Stay tuned for further top end talent and representative program updates in the New Year.
