The academy held the trials for its first-ever AFL intake on Sunday.

Twenty five applied to be part of the program, which will be headed by former Tamworth Kangaroos coach Tim Cotter.

He’ll have some good brains around him, with Tamworth Swans’ Josh McKenzie and two-times Gillies medallist Matthew Hodge assistant coaches.

Cotter said it was an exciting step for the sport.

“It’s definitely exciting,” he said.

“It’s the gap.”

“AFL up here kids play Auskick and then senior footy.”

There isn’t really anything in between so players go to other sports.

Cotter said being involved with NIAS will be great exposure for the sport.

AFL doesn’t enjoy the exposure of some of the other winter sports.

There also isn’t really any development pathway.

This will be a stepping stone in the pathway, Cotter said, and, with its link to the Sydney Swans, could open doors.

The Swans are a partner for the program and will do some work with the squad when they tour early next year.

They’ll also go down to Sydney for a training session with them and watch a game.

The program is targeted at players between 12 and 16 in 2015, and drew interest from all over the region.

For the trial they ran them through some fitness drills and skills.

The skills were based on what they do when they’re 17-18 going into the draft.

“They performed pretty well,” Cotter said.

He is very happy with the make-up of the squad.

“There’s a lot of talented boys,” he said.

He said they can have 35 in the squad so there is scope for a few additions.

“We’ve still got 10 spots if people are interested,” he said.

They’ll meet for their induction in late January.

After that they’ll catch up once a month, although the program hasn’t been finalised yet.