New Zealand Falcons representative Liam Ackland has secured a trial with the Glenelg Under 18 team next month. Glenelg is part of the South Australian Football League.
Liam attended the 2008 International Cup as a sixteen year old. This forum was a great opportunity for potential youngsters to perform in front of a myriad of talent scouts from the AFL clubs. Amua Pirika from Papua New Guinea was soon signed by the Gold Coast consortium and is now playing for Southport in the Queensland AFL competition.
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After securing a position in the 2008 International Cup squad, Liam was afforded the opportunity of attending an Australian Institute Scholarship camp in Canberra last December through funding contributed by AFL New Zealand and the AFL itself. The AIS camp provides the best young talent from through out Australia to be monitored by everyone of the 16 AFL clubs.
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The links with Australian based clubs continues to grow with New Zealnd Falcon player Moss Doran snapped up by 2008 QAFL premiers Mt Gravatt. Mt Gravatt Vultures coach David Lake has had success with a number of International players wirh Papua New Guinean representative Donald Barry also achieving good results.
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Mt Gravatt had shown considerable interest in securing Ackland at the start of the 2009 season but unfortunately Ackland rejected the opportunity due to work apprenticeship commitments.
New Zealand talent was once again given the opportunity to shine at the Under 20 National Provincial Championships held in Christchurch in March where talent scouts from Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Swans and Geelong were in attendance to earmark potential talent. Although no players fell into this catergory at the inaugaral championships, the processes are now in place to provide participants with the opportunity.
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Acklands trip to South Australia to trial with the Glenelg Under 18 team will be funded through his local club the Mt Roskill Saints as well as his own finances. To assist in fundraising efforts the MT Roskill Club are holding a golf day on 26th July at Onewhero Golf Club. Please contact Club President Greg Cairns at greg@mjl.co.nz for more details.