|
Aaron Davey from the Melbourne Football Club was announced the Round One National's AFL Rising Star nominee at today's launch of the National Australia Bank's AFL Rising Stars Program for 2004. At today's launch, AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said the National's AFL Rising Star continues to gain prestige. "The Rising Star is in its eleventh year and proves it recognises champions of the future with previous winners, Nathan Buckley and Adam Goodes, going on to win the Brownlow Medal last year. "The National's recognition of young football talent and junior clubs that develop our future players is to be commended," Mr Demetriou said. Congratulating the first nominee of the National's AFL Rising Star for this season, Aaron Davey, the National's Executive General Manager, Financial Services Australia, Mr Ian MacDonald said the National was delighted to be partnering with the AFL to help support the development of young players and grassroots football clubs. "We understand the important role they play in local communities and it is encouraging to see the results the program has achieved in helping to fast track talented young players from grassroots community football through to the senior AFL level," Mr MacDonald said. Round One Nominee - Aaron Davey
It has been a whirlwind three months for the 20-year-old Demon. Overlooked at the National's AFL Draft, Davey was selection number three in the National's AFL Rookie Draft in December. Two weeks ago he was nominated as a rookie eligible to play on the senior list after an impressive preseason. Davey will be able to stay on the senior list regardless of injuries or delistings, as Melbourne has a senior list of 38 players with no veterans. Davey, who is Daniel Motlop's cousin, played much of his junior football in Darwin for the Palmerston Magpies. In 2002, he played for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL, before joining Port Melbourne in 2003. Despite starting the season in the reserves, he finished the year in the VFL Team of the Year and won the Fothergill-Round Medal for the league's most promising player. Davey's performance last weekend was a highlight for Demon fans in their loss to Hawthorn. In his AFL debut he kicked a goal, gathered 13 possessions and displayed clean, quick skills across half-forward.
New Initiatives under the National's Rising Stars Program
The National has introduced a new initiative this year to support this partnership " the National's Rising Star Club Recognition Awards, which recognises the contribution that local football clubs make to the development of young players.
Through this award, each nominee's junior club will receive: $3500 in a National Community Group Account, Sherrin Footballs, coaches board, AFL training DVD and training manual, and other practical resources. Each nominee will return to their junior club to present the award in conjunction with the National Australia Bank. Aaron will visit Darwin later this year to present the award to his junior club, Palmerston Magpies. The weekly National's AFL Rising Star nominee will also receive a 68cm Magnavox television from the National. National's AFL Rising Stars Program
The National Australia Bank is the principal partner of the National's AFL Rising Stars Program (formerly the National AFL Pathway Program). The National's AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career, and comprises the following elements: - National's AFL Rising Star
- National's AFL Draft
- National's AFL Draft Camp
- National's AFL Under 18 Championships
- AIS-AFL Academy
- National's AFL Under 16 Championships
The National's AFL Rising Stars Program is active throughout the year. The National's AFL Draftee Development Awards were presented to grassroots volunteers during the AFL Community Camps in February and will continue through April. The AIS-AFL Academy has been conducting training camps throughout the summer. The first Under 17 International Test between the AIS-AFL Squad and Ireland is next Thursday, April 8, in Brisbane. The AFL Rising Star, the pinnacle of the National's AFL Rising Stars Program, was instituted in 1993 to recognise the best new young talent entering the AFL competition. In 2004, the National's AFL Rising Star will be voted by the All Australian selection panel comprising Kevin Bartlett, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Neil Kerley, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring, Adrian Anderson, Andrew Demetriou (non-voting Chairman) and AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan. . . ends
|
