Peel Thunder Talent Academy

The Peel Thunder Talent Academy has kicked off in its inaugural season replacing the 14s and 15s Development Squads. The concept behind the Talent Academy is to provide a development program that runs throughout the season and provides a touch point for players on a fortnightly basis.

The main objectives of the Talent Academy are:

• Greater development on fundamental skills for a longer period
• Opportunity to review games with vision and work on areas at club training as well as academy 
• Invite community club coaches to academy sessions 
• Education opportunities (nutrition, mental health and strength/conditioning)
• Opportunity to invite talented players into the program throughout the season 

The five-month program began with an induction for the first intake of players on the 2nd of May with a further two intakes scheduled for mid-June (2007 Born and top end 2008 Born) and a 3rd final intake in late July.

The Talent Academy is headed up by the experienced Stephen Thomson who has been involved in pathway programs and state schoolboys for several years. Thomson is supported by eight assistant coaches, a strength and conditioning coach, program manager, dietitian, and medical team.

The Talent Academy will play games against other WAFL Development programs/teams in the July and September/October school holidays with the first fixture against the South West Talent Academy on Monday 11th July and Claremont on Thursday 14th July.