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NAB's support allows the AFL to execute their highly successful youth development program known as the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program.
In addition to the pinnacle of the program - NAB AFL Rising Star Medal- there are a number of other key elements that provide a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career.
NAB AFL UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Each July, the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships are held. The Championships feature an exciting week of competition involving all states and territories and for many players it is the first opportunity to represent their state or territory in a truly national championship.
At the conclusion of the Championships, 30 players enter the AIS-AFL Academy scholarship program.
AIS-AFL ACADEMY
Thirty of the country's most outstanding young players are selected to join the Australian Institute of Sport's Australian Rules elite athlete program following their outstanding performances at the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships. Each year, four week-long camps are conducted as part of this scholarship program.
These camps include skill development sessions, nutrition and coaching workshops designed to give potential AFL footballers the tools required to realise their potential. The squad also earns the unique opportunity to represent Australia at Under 17 level in an International Rules Series as part of the program.
NAB AFL UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Each June, the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships are held. Players representing their state battle it out over a hectic week of competition. Interest in the Championships, particularly from AFL clubs, continues to grow each year and provides a unique opportunity for young players to impress AFL talent scouts.
Division 1 consists of Victoria Metro, Victoria Country, South Australia and Western Australia, while Division 2 is made up of Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory.
At the conclusion of the Championships, an All-Australian Under 18 Team is announced with all team members gaining automatic entry to the NAB AFL Draft Camp.
NAB AFL DRAFT CAMP
The NAB AFL Draft Camp consists of a series of physical, skill and psychological assessments of the nation's 70 premier underage AFL athletes.
Conducted in October each year under the watchful eye of AFL coaches and recruiting managers, players are tested on their speed, agility, vertical jump, endurance as well as a range of psychomotor measures. This information combined with one-on-one interviews allows AFL Clubs to finalise their assessment of a player's abilities prior to the NAB AFL Draft.
NAB AFL DRAFT
The NAB AFL Draft is the day when dreams can come true for young players who have made their way through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program. Each November, AFL coaches and recruiting managers select the most outstanding talent to join the AFL ranks the following season.
The NAB AFL Draft is integral to the continued development of the AFL competition. Since the first Draft in 1986 more than 2,000 players have been given the opportunity to play with an AFL Club.
Since then, the various player rules have been amended but the basic focus of the Draft, that it is the most equitable way of distributing the available talent to AFL Clubs, has not altered. Players gain access to clubs by nominating for the Draft, and can only move to other clubs through the Draft process.
NAB AFL RISING STAR AWARD
The NAB AFL Rising Star was instituted in 1993 to recognise and encourage talented young players in the AFL and is now recognised as one of the leagues most prestigious and sought after awards.
Eligibility
Nominees must have played no more than 10 AFL games at the start of the season, and must be under 21 years of age as at 1 January of that year. After each AFL Home & Away round, a player is nominated for the Award and at the end of the AFL season a selection panel then chooses the winner from these nominees.
NAB AFL Rising Star Medal
NAB Club Recognition Award
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