Futures Squad

                                     2021 FUTURES PRE-SEASON TRIALS              

The WAFL Simply Energy Futures program is an underage competition with teams representing the 9 WAFL Club districts and the South West Academy. The competition is one of the primary sources of recruitment for WAFL clubs. The WAFL Simply Energy Futures competition provides an opportunity for talented young players to participate in a high standard competition. The competition was very successful after fundamental changes in 2019, exposing more talented players to a WAFL environment for longer.

• The program will act as an extension of the current WAFL 16s program that provides players with further high-performance training opportunities.
• The focus of the Futures will be improving the players fundamental skills through exposure to a higher level of training and match program, which shall in turn result in better performances in community competitions strengthening the depth of talent.
• There is currently a major talent gap between WAFL Colts & Community Football.  This program will reduce this gap and meet the needs and motivations of players who are in between the two.
• Age Groups:
  • All 2004 births (younger Year 11’s, older Year 10s)
  • Later developing 2003 births (older Year 11’s)
  • Very select for 2005 births (younger Year 10s)

• Coach Development Pathway: Along with the Perth 18s Competition, the WAFL Futures will form a key part of the Coach Development Pathway for both male and female coaches.
• Access to Higher Level of Coaching: Players who weren’t previously part of a talent program will now have access to a higher level of coaching through the WAFL Futures whilst still remaining in a Community Club environment.
• Access to Recovery Sessions & Football Education:  Throughout the program players will be able to access weekly recovery and education sessions.
• Player motivations: There are a number of players within Community football who wish to push themselves to a higher level. This program meets the motivations of these players who are yet to be selected in the WAFL Colts system.

• Ensuring that every aspiring footballer in our districts has access to our extended development and training programs;
• Identifying talented players in both of our aligned regions and fostering development opportunities for these areas through to senior community football, WAFL and AFL ranks
• Providing a club premises with the ability to facilitate both the development of football and support additional projects within the Joondalup community
• Setting a standard for excellence in the WAFL competition through the professional standards we set in the recruitment and development of senior footballers