West Australian Football

State Programs

State 16's Head Coach - Trevor Williams As the initial introduction to a state based elite football program, the WA State 16's program will aim to provide an environment which will offer the selected athletes with the opportunity to maximize their development as a person and as a player. The program endeavours to provide an environment that is enjoyable, positive and fosters individual learning styles. The program is part of the NAB Rising Stars program and includes the NAB National 16's Championships to be held on the Gold Coast from 24 July - 3 August 2008. These championships conclude with the top two ranked teams from each division playing the two curtain raisers at the 2008 AFL Grand Final at the MCG. This is a wonderful opportunity for the participants and a terrific enhancement to the NAB Rising Stars Program. The WA State 16's program is also an important aspect of the WA coaching pathway. It provides aspiring coaches with the opportunity to be exposed to an elite environment and enhance their skills in dealing with talented athletes. State 18's Head Coach - Andrew Lockyer As the pinnacle opportunity in the WA talent pathway, the WA State 18's will aim to provide an elite training and playing experience that will offer the selected athletes the best possible environment to maximize their opportunity to progress to WAFL and AFL football. The program is a more intense and detailed progression from the 16's and involves a ten week training and playing program. The program is part of the NAB Rising Stars program and includes a 5 game program with 2 games played in Perth, one in Adelaide and two in Melbourne. The NAB National 18's Championships provide a wonderful opportunity for players to showcase their potential on the national stage. The opportunity to replicate the life of an AFL player via elite styled training programs and preparation, traveling to interstate venues and playing on un familiar grounds is a unique experience for most of the players and one that will hold them in good stead with their future aspirations. Like the WA State 16's, the WA State 18's is an important aspect of the WA Coaching pathway. Similar to the WA State 16's, the WAFC encourages a regular rotation of coaches through the key coaching positions as a means of developing coaching experience at the elite level. State 20's Head Coach - TBC The purpose of the WA State 20's is to provide 19 and 20 year olds participating in the WAFL competition with the opportunity to play elite state level football. It will hopefully provide these players with an extra motivation to continue their development and allow them to be showcased to AFL recruiting staff.