South Australian mid-fielder and AIS Academy graduate Hayden Jolly will head to Queensland later this year after agreeing to join the Gold Coast Football Club.

Jolly, who plays reserves for Glenelg, is one of 12 eligible 17-year-olds born between January and April 1992 who are able to sign with GCFC. He will join the elite training program under Coach Guy McKenna at Carrara in November and play with GCFC in the VFL next year.

 GCFC Coach Guy McKenna said Jolly is a tough ball magnet who wins the ball at stoppages and contested situations and is a very reliable user by hand and foot.

“A natural, powerful right footer, with great agility around the ball, he has very clean hands and a great scope for further physical development. He will have the ability to play multiple roles given his ability to win his own ball and use it very effectively,” he said.

“We are pleased Hayden has agreed to join us and be part of the Gold Coast Football Club journey to the AFL in 2011.”

Jolly joins five other 17-year-olds who have committed to GCFC including Victorian TAC Cup players Joshua Toy from the Calder Cannons, Matt Shaw from the Dandenong Stingrays and Trent McKenzie from the Western Jets. Tasmania’s Maverick Weller and Luke Russell have also committed to the Club.