The Northern Inland Academy of Sport AFL trials were recently held in Inverell, with a “great turn up of some very talented athletes”, AFL North West said.
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The trials were conducted for three squads: junior boys, senior boys and, for the first time, youth girls.
Inverell-based NIAS head coach Alan Martin was impressed by the athletes’ skills and attitude.
“To see so many young people out there really putting in and having a go – it’s what it is all about,” he said.
Ben Ellis, a former NIAS AFL athlete and decorated Inverell Saints player, has joined NIAS as a trainee coach.
Sam Barber, the Inverell Saints’ grand final-winning women’s captain, is a new assistant coach for the youth girls squad.
Aaron Harvey, a two-time best and fairest recipient for a Victorian AFL club, has joined NIAS’ coaching staff with the youth girls squad.
Well-known New England AFL figure Jamie Moore has taken on an assist coaching role with the junior boys squad.
Tamworth athletes reportedly performed extremely well under a new testing format at the trials.
Ed George led the way in the senior boys, posting the best combined testing score and the equal fastest run time.
The other Tamworth athletes who made the squad are Will George (junior boys), James Vallender (senior boys) and Daisy George (youth girls).
The next trials are at The Sporting Complex in Inverell on November 19. Contact NIAS to reserve a spot.
