At the SUNS Academy, selection decisions are among the most difficult parts of our role. Each year our experienced staff assess hundreds of talented young athletes for a limited number of positions across our programs.
Being unsuccessful in a particular selection process does not mean a player has reached their ceiling, nor does it determine their future opportunities within football. Many athletes develop at different rates and pathways into higher levels of football remain available through clubs, schools and future Academy programs.
Below are some of the most common questions we receive following program announcements.
Selection Process
Players may be selected through:
- Open assessment trials - Talent identification recommendations - Previous Academy performances - Competitive performances throughout the season
Selection considerations include:
- Ability to consistently demonstrate key talent footballing traits - Representative football performances - Club football performances - Professional attitude and conduct - Commitment to Academy values - AFLQ and club recommendations - Other sporting achievements
Selection into an Academy program is based on demonstrated capability, potential and readiness. Selection is not guaranteed and squad sizes reduce as athletes progress through the pathway.
"Selection is not Prediction"
"One of the realities of talent development is that identifying future performance is not an exact science. The best players at 14 are not always the best players at 18, and the best players at 18 are not always the players who go on to have the strongest senior careers. Selection reflects our assessment at a point in time and should not be viewed as a prediction of a player's future potential."
My child was not selected. Can I find out why?
All selections are made using observations collected over an extended period by multiple coaches and talent staff.
Selection decisions are based on a range of factors, including:
Current football performance
Physical attributes and athletic traits
Coachability and learning potential
Consistency across multiple viewings
Long-term development potential
Due to the volume of players assessed, we are generally unable to provide individual detailed feedback following every selection process.
Does non-selection mean my child is no longer being considered by the Academy?
No.
Players continue to be observed through club football, school football, Academy experiences and future talent identification events.
Many athletes who are not selected for one program are identified for future opportunities.
Development is rarely linear and selection outcomes can change significantly over time.
My child has improved a lot recently. Will they get another opportunity?
Yes.
Our talent staff continue to monitor players throughout the year and new opportunities become available regularly through various Academy programs and talent identification activities.
We recognise that young athletes can make significant improvements over a short period of time.
Does non-selection mean my child is not talented enough?
No.
Selection often comes down to difficult decisions between players with very similar profiles.
In many cases there are more deserving athletes than available positions.
A player not being selected on one occasion should never be viewed as a final assessment of their potential.
If my child has been selected previously, are they guaranteed selection in future years?
No.
Selection into a SUNS Academy program is reviewed each year and previous selection does not guarantee future selection.
As players develop, the talent pool also continues to develop. Every athlete is reassessed based on their current performance, ongoing development, attitude, coachability and potential at that point in time.
We encourage all players, whether they have previously been selected or not, to remain committed to their development, continue learning, and focus on improving their football each season.
Past selection can create opportunities, but continued growth and development give players the best chance of earning future opportunities.
Selection is never permanent. Every year is a new opportunity for players to earn their place through their commitment to learning, improvement and performance.
What should my child do next?
We encourage all players to:
Continue enjoying their football
Focus on learning and development
Play consistently for their club and school
Seek feedback from their coaches
Maintain strong training habits
Remain open to future opportunities
The players who continue to improve over time are often those who stay engaged with the process rather than focusing solely on selection outcomes.
Can I appeal a selection decision?
Selection decisions are made by a panel of coaches and staff using information gathered across multiple observations and assessment opportunities.
While we understand disappointment can accompany selection announcements, selection decisions are final.
How many spots are available?
Program capacity is often determined by coaching resources, venue availability, competition requirements and operational considerations.
As a result, there are typically significantly more eligible players than positions available.
Are late developers still considered?
Absolutely.
Physical and football development occurs at different rates for every athlete.
Our staff understand that some players mature earlier while others may make significant gains later in their teenage years.
For this reason, we continue to monitor athletes across multiple age groups and years.
What is the most important thing for my child to remember?
Selection is an opportunity, not a destination.
Many successful players have experienced non-selection throughout their football journey.
The most important factors remain a player's love of the game, willingness to learn, resilience and commitment to continual improvement.
Our Philosophy
The SUNS Academy aims to identify and develop talent, not simply select it.
While not every player can be accommodated in every program, every interaction with the Academy is intended to support a young person's growth as an athlete and person.
We encourage all players to continue striving to improve, stay connected to their club environment and embrace future opportunities as they arise.
