World Footy News

The inaugural AFL Chairman’s Cup and MCC President’s Medal will be presented at the annual AIS-AFL Academy match this Thursday night. The AIS-AFL Academy level two squad, playing as Australia Under-18s will play Collingwood’s VFL team in a curtain-raiser to the Carlton v Richmond match at the MCG.

The winning team will be presented the AFL Chairman’s Cup by AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.

The best Australia Under-18 player will be awarded the MCC President’s Medal which will be presented by MCC President Paul Sheahan. AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin and his assistants Glen Jakovich, Brad Ottens, Matthew Lloyd, Tadhg Kennelly and Brad Johnson will select the medallist.

The AIS-AFL Academy Level Two squad will depart for a 15-day European tour on Saturday March 30. The squad will train at the AIS European training centre in Varese, Italy, before travelling to London. The squad will play the European Legion on Saturday April 6 at Surrey Sportspark. The squad will then travel to Denmark and combined AIS-AFL Academy and European sides will play in Copenhagen on Wednesday April 10.

AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin said he was looking forward to taking the AIS-AFL Academy squad to Denmark for the first time.

“The players will be representing their country and the game while on tour which is a big responsibility. They will also be challenged to prepare and recover from matches in a new environment which will allow them put their training into practice,” he said.

AIS-AFL Academy mentors Brad Ottens and Tadhg Kennelly will be travelling with the squad.

The AIS-AFL Academy Squad will be presented with their Australian guernseys at a function tonight at Etihad Stadium.

The AIS-AFL Academy is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports young players from grassroots to the elite level.