STAFF WRITERS
FOOTBALL
SOME of the region’s best young footballers are currently taking part in the newly established Gippsland All Stars Football League.
The league offers Under 13, Under 14 and Under 15 players with the opportunity to showcase their skills representing various locations across Gippsland.
Teams from Central Gippsland, Traralgon and District, Sale and District, South Gippsland, West Gippsland and East Gippsland play matches once-a-month for five rounds, with finals to follow.
So far, two rounds have been completed.
West Gippsland head the 15s and 13s ladder, while South Gippsland is leading the 14s.
This is the first season the league has been able to play uninterrupted. The All-Stars league was created in 2021 in conjunction with AFL Gippsland, combining what was previously known as Interleague and the Next Generation Academy.
The purpose of the new program is to allow players to fast track as individuals and learn from those at a similar level of skill, fitness and game sense.
With AFL Gippsland overseeing the new format, it is hoped this has led to a reduction of burdening volunteers.
The age groups have been created predominantly due to: Aligning the talent pathway of Gippsland Power and aligning the majority of the junior football programs across Gippsland.
In creating the program, AFL Gippsland reasoned that, based on feedback, Under-12 is too young to identify and promote talent.
Under-12 have been encouraged to focus on learning and participating in the game of Australian Football and not be exposed too early to elite programs.
