FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
SENIOR players are not going to last forever, that’s why junior development is so important.
Morwell Football-Netball Club have got on the front foot with their Junior Football Academy six-week program well before the under 16s and under 18s preseasons get underway.
Run by former Morwell senior coach, Harmit Singh, who led the Tigers to back-to-back premierships in 2013 and 2014, the program offers assistance from a wide-range of AFL individuals including former Morwell juniors Ben Ainsworth, and Changkuoth and Tew Jiath.
Opening in August, 107 kids registered ahead of its launch including 16 girls primarily coming from Morwell Eagles Youth Girls.
Singh recently found his new job in Sydney as the Swans Academy Talent and Coaching Director after more than a decade spent with Collingwood in a variety of roles, but most recently as Head of Academies and with the Peter Daicos Academy.
“It was just one of those things where I’ve run some of this stuff before for clubs and we thought it’d be a great opportunity to run something at Morwell,” he said.
“We put a program together for like an elevated off season program and it’s been really well received so far.”
Having the fortune to see juniors rise up the ranks, grow in ability and confidence, and to one day play at the game’s top level, Singh said it’s a true eye-opener to see such players in-person to forge that belief for their current crop of young athletes.
“When they see guys like TJ (Tew Jiath), he played an AFL game this year but less than 12 months ago he was playing at Morwell or 18 months ago, so, I guess the kids can see a reflection of themselves that if you maximise your game, obviously he had come through that Gippy Power program like all three of those boys did (Jiath brothers and Ainsworth) you can reach your dreams,” he said.
Other figures to drop by included Essendon Academy player and draft hopeful, Isaac Kako and Collingwood Strength and Conditioning Coach, James Foord in different weeks.
Following these six weeks that includes skills training, strength and conditioning sessions, and leadership practice in 2025, all academy kids will be given an AFL club and gameday experience that potentially will include an elite training facility tour, training session and meeting professional players.
Singh lauded the club for which he has deep connection and sentiment towards as progressive in identifying areas they wish to grow, both on-field and culturally.
“I think the club has been successful for a long time because of the way they’ve looked after their players,” he said.
“Players play 100, 150, 200 games at the one club because of the environment across both football and netball. We hope for some more kids to come through the club and enjoy their footy or netball.”
