TRIALS for Peel Thunder's inaugural Ocean Hill Academy, a program for year eight, nine and 10 students kicked off this week.
TRIALS for Peel Thunder's inaugural Ocean Hill Academy, a program for year eight, nine and 10 students kicked off at Rushton Park this week.
The students completed a two-kilometre time trial, a beep test, skills sessions, 20-metre sprints and an agility test.
Once the final squads are selected the academy program will be a 28-week program with one session a week focussing on skills during the football season.
On Wednesday 80 year eight students were put through their paces with 95 year nine footballers taking to the track on Thursday.
On Friday the year 10s will take to the park.
Peel Thunder talent manager John Dietz said the academy would be similar to what the AFL’s Queensland and Sydney clubs have.
“Hopefully we will identify talented kids who can come through to Peel Thunders League side or higher,” he said.
Dietz said the program would take a strong focus on skills and would be longer than the club’s previous development squad programs.
