Promising young AFL players tested at ECU Joondalup

Players from West Perth Football Club’s Djinda Falcons indigenous youth football and leadership program were put through agility, speed and vertical jump tests – the same as those run at the AFL Draft Combine.

Prendiville Catholic College Year 10 student and WA under-16 player Brody Kenney said the testing was good practice for when he hopefully takes part in the AFL Draft Combine.

“It’s good to know what kind of testing you go through to be drafted,” he said.

Former Fremantle Dockers star Antoni Grover spoke to the Djinda Falcons about how important it was to pursue education at the same time as a sporting career.

The visit was part of academic Fadi Maayah’s Study Hard, Play Hard research program which uses sport to encourage young people to engage with education.

“Sport is a very powerful way to inspire young people,” Dr Mayaah said.

“The message that Mr Grover delivered about the importance of education was a powerful one. Hearing from sports stars of that calibre is a fantastic way to show people the power that education has to change lives.”

n The Djinda Falcons free program runs on Friday nights at Arena Joondalup. It is open to indigenous boys aged nine to 16. Email sharon@falcons fc.com.au for more information.