Firing up the Northern Heat in 2020/2021

One of the unfortunate downsides to the shortened 2020 season is the loss of representative footy, but the great news is that the Northern Heat program will be back in action across the 2020/2021 off season!

The program features the best Under 16, Under 17, and Under 18 players from both the North Coast and North West regions and aims to prepare these players to make the full time step to Senior footy. Through the growing partnership with the Southport Sharks the Heat program also offers players the chance to be identified at North East AFL (NEAFL) level.

To continue the all round growth of squad members, last year’s program included video analysis, GPS tracking, strength and conditioning training conducted by an ex-Sydney Swans coach, and culminated with a match against the Surfers Paradise/Southport Colts team on the Gold Coast. From this match three Heat players were offered the chance to trial with the Southport NEAFL team in late 2020.

This year, the squad will be selected from an open trial to be held in Armidale on Saturday 17 October. The Northern Heat squad will comprise nine North Coast and nine North West players from the Under 16/Under 17 age group (born 2003 and 2004), and a further three Under 18 aged players (born 2002) from each region.

Stay tuned to this website in coming weeks for your chance to nominate for the trial on 17 October.

The selected squad will train approximately once per month in November, December, February, and March. Training will be shared across the North Coast and North West regions with players expected to attend all sessions.

For more information contact coaches Alan Martin (0408 571 579) or Matt Anderson (0407 631 430).