With father-son selections still a long way off, Recruiting Officer Dom Ambrogio says the Gold Coast SUNS Academy Program plays an important part in the Clubs list management strategy, assisting to identify and develop young talent throughout it’s Queensland zones. 

“Given we don’t have father/sons for quite some time, the Academy provides us with a great opportunity to find new players,” Ambrogio said.

“There is some really good potential coming through our Academy over the next few years.”

The Gold Coast SUNS Under 15 Academy team headed five hours south of the border for the AFL Academies U15’s Carnival in Coffs Harbour earlier this month, taking on the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney’s Academy squads over a three-day football camp.

Captain and U15 All Australian – Jack Bowes, considered a future AFL prospect, competed fiercely against some of the code’s best young talent. 

Speaking exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au after the side’s hard-fought battle against the Lions, Bowes said the Academy Carnival had given all players a fantastic insight into the daily recovery and build-up preparations required at AFL level. 

“While we were able to compete against some of the best players, we also learned a lot about the professionalism of playing AFL football,” he said.

“It was a really good opportunity and we really found out what it takes to get to that next level.”

Similar to Bowes, NEAFL young guns Lachlan Weller and Jared Ellis have enjoyed representative honours in 2013 – with Weller named in the Level two squad for the 2013-14 AIS-AFL Academy Program.

Ambrogio said the future was looking bright for the GC SUNS Academy Program. 

“A lot of the boys coming in our Academy have had solid years, with some of our boys eligible to be taken through the draft this year,” Ambrogio said.

“Others are eligible over the next couple of years so certainly whether it is through our senior list or rookie list, we should have some reasonable talent outcomes in the near future.”