The WA State Talent Academy has completed its second intake for the State 16s and 18s squads in preparation for the 2012 NAB AFL National Championships in June and July.

The State Talent Academy will continue its training program at the WACA Ground in the lead up to the National Championships and conduct leadership, nutrition and education sessions to enhance the overall development of players.

The Academy will also play trial games against Rising Stars and Colts teams from the WAFL, WA Amateur Football League and South West Football League before final teams are selected to represent WA at the State 16s and 18s National Championships.

Western Australia has won back to back titles in the National Indigenous U15 Kickstart Championships, held again on the Gold Coast this week.

After a slow start to the Championships with a one point loss to South Australia on day one, WA won all remaining games and finished off with a convincing win over South Australia today by 20 goals.

The full score was Western Australia 23.16.154 to South Australia 3.7.25.  Best on Ground in today’s Grand Final was awarded to Darnell Morrison from WA.

The Player of the Carnival was awarded to Northern Territory’s Ralph Dhamarrandji and the leading goal kicker was Kyle Jackson from South Australia.

Phil Narkle has been appointed as head coach of WA’s North West Talent Academy, which will compete at the 2012 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships as part of an expanded Division 3 competition.

The former AFL and WAFL champion, who is currently Indigenous Liaison Officer at the West Coast Eagles, will join the WA North West squad at its next talent camp in Broome from April 11 to 14. He will continue his role with the West Coast Eagles and manage his coaching commitments with the support of the club.

Narkle said he was looking forward to the opportunity of being involved in WA’s talent pathway and nurturing the talent in the North West region.

“It’s always been a vision of mine so I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

“I enjoy passing on my knowledge and experience and helping to develop young players. I believe there’s a real need for an academy in the North West and I’m glad to be involved.”

WA’s North West Talent Academy will compete at the 2012 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships as part of an expanded Division 3 competition.

The AFL announced the inclusion of two teams this week; Western Australia North West and the AFL’s Flying Boomerangs, meaning 12 teams will now compete at the Championships to be held at Blacktown International Sportspark in Western Sydney in July.

The WA State Talent Academy has recruited well from a coaching and player perspective for the 2012 season.

This year’s program will see former and current West Coast members such as Rob Wiley (State 16s head coach), Steve Woodhouse, Tim Gepp, Phil Matera, Jarrod Schofield and Adam Selwood involved in the WA State Talent Academy coaching team.

Fremantle Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands is also involved with the State 16s, while WAFL development coaches including Michael Pratt (State 18s head coach), John Hancock, Silv Lombardi, Mark Pashby, Larry Cavallo and Gino Stefani will add further experience and knowledge to the mix.