THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
As the Head Coach of the Bulldogs Academy, it is with great pride and excitement that I share the journey of our Academy, initiated in 2023 at Centrals AFL Club. The creation of this Academy marks a significant milestone in our club’s history, setting a solid foundation for nurturing young talent and ensuring a bright future for both our juniors and the club as a whole.
When the board approached me with the opportunity to lead the Academy, I felt an immediate sense of responsibility and enthusiasm. With my experience as a Level 2 accredited AFL coach and Level 2 sports trainer, I knew that this was a chance to shape the future of our club in a profound way. The vision was clear: to establish a robust junior development pathway that would not only identify and nurture emerging talent but also instill the values and skills necessary for these young athletes to succeed both on and off the field.
One of my first tasks was to find the right people to support this ambitious initiative. It didn’t take long to identify Jaiden Butson as the ideal role model and player mentor for our juniors. Jaiden’s commitment, skill, and exemplary character made him the perfect candidate to help lead the Bulldogs Academy. His ability to connect with young players and his passion for the game are truly inspirational. Together, we have worked diligently to create a program that is not only about athletic development but also about building character, resilience, and a sense of community among our young athletes.
The Bulldogs Academy was designed to provide a comprehensive development pathway program for our juniors. We focus on all aspects of the game, including technical skills, tactical understanding, physical fitness, and mental resilience. Our approach is holistic, ensuring that each player receives personalized attention and support to reach their full potential by testing & recording individual benchmarks following AFL draft testing protocols. We also want to place a strong emphasis on education and life skills, preparing our players to be well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society.
Game Day and Player Support
On game days, we prioritize player support to ensure optimal performance and recovery. All Academy players are weighed in pre- and post-game to measure fluid loss. This data helps us ensure that players rehydrate and eat adequately to return to their pre-game weight, maintaining their health and performance levels.
Our players also wear GPS trackers, allowing us to monitor their workloads in real-time. These trackers provide critical data, such as distance covered and intensity of efforts, which we can sometime review at halftime if curious about over working players ect and the data is stored and accessible on a player-shared dashboard app, they players love to see their stats and are always keen to dissect it with me in discussion around opportunities for focussed training or improvement plans. This information helps us make informed decisions about substitutions and manage player workloads effectively. I have had GPS pockets sewn into most of their playing jumpers now, so that practice is getting more & more efficient.
Post-game, we facilitate mandatory ice baths for those playing across multiple age groups to support recovery. This practice, along with our comprehensive monitoring and support protocols, has been a game changer at Centrals. Player support and recovery were not always prioritized in the past, but consistent focus on these practices along with the welcoming and encouraging culture our junior academy players having access and exposure to our Senior playing groups ( both mens & womens) , have significantly improved player health, performance & confidence.
Success Stories and Continuous Improvement
The success of our junior players making their senior debuts this year is a testament to our rigorous training and support programs. Despite the challenges of the offseason and the newly introduced concept of the academy, we maintained a consistent focus on skill development, conditioning, and fitness & saw impressive attendance during those early months of training. This unwavering commitment has paid off, with several juniors earning spots on the senior teams. Their seamless transition is a credit to the structured and continuous training provided by the Academy.
Senior coaches (Marke Horn -Div 1/ Benny Graham -Senior Dev & Dan Smith -Womens ) work with me closely around all junior player selections for the senior teams. This collaboration ensures that our young talents are given the best opportunities to shine at higher levels of competition. The data collected from GPS trackers and other monitoring tools is invaluable in these discussions, helping us assess game play efficiency and manage player workloads , Injury management & recovery effectively.
Looking ahead, we are committed to continuously improving and expanding our program. We aim to create more opportunities for our juniors to showcase their talents, both within the club and at higher levels of competition. Our ultimate goal is to see our players progress through the ranks and represent Centrals AFL Club at the highest levels of the sport.
The Bulldogs Academy is more than just a training program; it is a community where young athletes can grow, learn, and achieve their dreams. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished so far and excited about the future. With the continued support of the club, the dedication of our coaches and mentors, and the passion of our young players, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Bulldogs Academy. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence and paving the way for a bright future for Centrals AFL Club.
Go Doggies!
Brent
Head Coach, Bulldogs Academy
Centrals Junior AFL Club – President
Head Coach & Founder of Kick Academy FNQ ( Junior AFL development academy)
