First ever kennel of Blue Heelers announced

The North West Blue Heelers program has announced its initial intake of 31 players, with these trailblazers to be the first in the region’s rich AFL history to don the new Blue Heelers identity.

The players were selected based on the commitment and effort shown at two trials. With the AFL North West club season yet to start, and with a number of clubs in their pre-season infancy, the initial response to the program has been exceptional and provides an extremely strong platform from which to grow.

Paul Taylor, Community Football Manager for AFL North West, said that the momentum is really starting to build.

“Huge credit to these 31 early adopters who have already shown us they have a thirst for growing as footy players and learning as much as they can. We can’t fault their commitment or their passion for the game, and these traits will make them leaders within both the Blue Heelers program and their own club teams,” Taylor said.

“Now that the program is underway we know that more and more players will want to join as they see their club mates skills and game sense developing in leaps and bounds. There will be further opportunities for players to join the program through the scheduled training sessions and any player wanting to be considered should get in touch and let us know that they’re keen.

“We’re particularly excited by the number of girls that have been included as the interest level amongst 14 to 17 year old girls bodes really well for the upcoming Youth Girls club competition.”

Click here to see the full list of the 31 players selected in the initial intake.

The Blue Heelers program is not only focused on individual development, it also encompasses the North West representative program. Training sessions are held twice per month in multiple locations and players wishing to be considered for inclusion can attend one of these sessions as a selection trial.

Training sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday 27 April in Tamworth & Armidale
• Wednesday 11 May in Tamworth & Inverell
• Wednesday 25 May in Tamworth & Armidale
• Wednesday 8 June in Tamworth & Inverell
• Wednesday 22 June in Armidale

To express an interest in receiving an invitation to attend one of these sessions as a selection trial please send an email to Paul Taylor (paul.taylor@afl.com.au).