YJFL and Collingwood NGA has combined to form the Yarra Magpies Academy (YMA). The YMA will aim to provide the best model for football skill development. Among other things, participants will focus on fundamental skill development, game sense and off-field personal development holistic education such as leadership, nutrition and recovery.

The YMA model will the see the YJFL interleague training program partner with Collingwood NGA for (Under 13 to Under 15) as well as the current Oakleigh Chargers program at U17s. The key principle is to merge the programs and to provide one key talent development program. The program will focus on the individual development of the players. Eligible players will be selected and elevated to Interleague teams to represent their league in the annual AFL Victoria Metro Development Series, interleague, NGA games or representative matches.

In the past Yarra JFL has compiled representative squads with the primary goal of competing in the against other leagues either by arrangement (under 13), or through the AFL Victoria’s Junior Metro Development Series for under 14 and under 15 aged boys and girls.
 

The major change is the program’s purpose. Whilst between under 13 and Under 15 there will still be games played to pit the best players against other leagues and intra-league games, the primary focus will be on progressive AFL skill and personal development under a defined curriculum that starts at under 13 and progresses through to Under 15, focusing on the skill execution expected for entry into the Under 19 NAB League competition.  This means that all players in the program, regardless if they make the YJFL team, will get ongoing skills development, putting them in the best position for AFL selection at an older age.  There are countless players, picked up on AFL or AFLW draft night, that did not make junior representative squads. This new program method ensures ongoing development for all in the program.
 

The partnership joins Collingwood NGA coaches and YJFL coaches under the one Yarra Magpies Academy banner so players will have access to best in class coaching.

Players aligned (by residential geography) with other Elite U19 comp regions (eg Northern Knights or Eastern Ranges) should align with the league talent pathway (in YJFL’s case the Yarra Magpies Academy) until Under 15 and align under geography at Under 16 into the U19 Comp Talent region.
 

Principles of the Yarra Magpies Academy Partnership
 

1. The Yarra Magpies Academy (YMA) will aim to provide the best model for football skill development

2. Align with the AFL strategy for involvement of AFL clubs in the pathway

3. Develop MI and Talent in preparation for entry into the under 17 level of the Under 19 Elite junior pathway

4. Boys and Girls developed to execute fundamental football skills at a high level

5. Where possible collaborate with Under 19 Elite Competition club programs to ensure smooth transition to U16s.