Counting themselves lucky, the Gold Coast SUNS Level One Academy squad watched their football heroes at work yesterday, as the Gold Coast SUNS completed another day of pre-season training. 

Selected from Queensland’s representative teams, as well as the AFL’s Future Stars Program, the Academy students were given exclusive access to the club’s inner sanctum, showing the player’s the daily training and recovery obligations required to succeed in the AFL. 

Keen to expose his players to the challenges of pre-season training, GC SUNS Academy boss Jason Torney organised a 1km time trial on the Metricon Stadium training deck, before turning his attention to skills testings.

On his first day behind the desk, newly-appointed head coach Aaron Rogers kept intensity to a high, the former NEAFL premiership player bringing with him more than 10 years of grassroots experience. 

Torney, the former Richmond and Adelaide player who chiefs the Academy, said the introductory session had been of great benefit to his players.

“As members of the GC SUNS Academy program, these young athletes have the opportunity to train at an elite high performance centre, in the same training facilities as professional AFL football players,” he said.

A strong vehicle for Queensland talent, the GC SUNS Academy provides a pathway for state junior players to strive to a possible AFL career – with rookie-listed players Andrew Boston and Jared Ellis having graduated through the Academy. 

A certain highlight for the Academy players, Jackson Allen took time away from his busy training schedule to offer some helpful advice to the Level One cohort. 

“The players really enjoyed listening to Jackson speak about his football journey, and the hard work and sacrifice he had to make to achieve his dream of playing in the AFL,” Torney said. 

“Hopefully it has burned a fire inside of them to achieve similar success, whether it be on the football field or in the classroom.”