The Gold Coast SUNS have had a record eight StreetSmarts SUNS Academy players recognised with selection in the 2025 Marsh AFL National Academy.
AFL Draft prospects Zeke Uwland, Beau Addinsall, Dylan Patterson and Kalani White have all been selected for the 28-player male academy.
Academy prospects selected in the 27-player Girls Academy include Ava Usher, Alannah Welsh, Dekota Baron and Georja Davies, younger sister of SUNS AFLW forward Darcie.
Davies became the inaugural female winner of the AFL Life Members Education Assistance Award in September, receiving a $10,000 scholarship to assist her education and personal development during her Draft year.
It is the first time a community club or Academy has had eight players represented in the National Academy across both male and female programs.
The Marsh AFL National Academy squads comprise a selection of the most talented boys and girls footballers from across Australia who will take part in the program during their Draft year.
All players named in the squads are born in 2007 and will be eligible to be selected in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft and 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.
The Marsh AFL National Academy is a holistic program that combines football and personal development.
The program provides the next generation of stars with valuable experiences, insights and opportunities in their Draft year which will best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.
The Marsh AFL National Academy program is designed to ensure players are presented with unique opportunities and learnings that differ from other football programs they are involved in.
Content is delivered across three camps, commencing with a high-performance camp that will be held in Melbourne during December.
Two additional camps will be held during the 2025 season which will involve talent showcase matches where the Academy squads will represent their country as the Australia U18 team.
