This Saturday marks the commencement of the 2022 MPJFL Academy Summer Development Programs, which will run through October, November and into December.

The Academy Programs will include a variety of specialist coaching sessions, focusing on a number of key developmental areas that are targeted to the participating age groups.

This year, three age groups will be completing the summer program, Under 12 Boys, Under 13 Boys, and Under 12 Girls. Players from throughout the league have been invited to take part in the program, which will begin tomorrow morning with an introductory session.

The program will include the following:

  • Somers Camp Challenge Day
  • Specialist coaching sessions with Footy Fast Tracker (Paul Hudson and Rick Legassick)
  • Strength and conditioning sessions as well as a combine testing night (Project Gap)
  • Specialist coaching with Malcolm Bangs
  • A session facilitated by the Dandenong Stingrays
  • ‘Above the Shoulders’ session
  • A match against the Yarra Junior Football League
  • A match against the Outer East Football Netball League

The Under 13 Boys and Under 12 Girls will have 14 sessions in total together, while the Under 12s will have 12.

We are extremely excited to expand upon last year’s programs and are looking forward to seeing the growth and enjoyment of the participants.

The MPJFL Academy was created last year, and has been a huge success thus far, providing MPJFL participants the opportunity to develop and further their skills outside of the existing Interleauge programs that run through February to July. In the coming months, there will be more announcements regarding special development events and programs, as we look to continue our growth in this space.

As always, the Academy program will also utilize MPJFL Coaches that have shown a keen interest in developing the youth of our league, using the opportunity to develop their own skills that they can take back to club land to implement.

A special thank you goes out to our apparel partner Sherwood for supplying the guernsey, shorts and the hat that the participants will receive as part of the program, and also Bluescope for their continued support and provision of facilities.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media to stay up to date with the Summer Programs!