Three Northern Knights players have been named in the AFL National Academy squads for next year.
Fifty of the country’s most talented young footballers have been selected to take part in the academy during their draft year.
Each of the boys and girls squads feature 25 players who were born in 2008 and will be eligible for the 2026 drafts.
The Academy provides the next generation of stars with valuable experiences, insights and education to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.
The holistic program combines football performance and personal growth in a high-performance environment by providing unique opportunities and learnings that differ from other football programs they are involved in.
Content is delivered across multiple football camps, with the 2026 program to commence with a high-performance camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in December.
The boys squad includes 13 players who were selected in last year’s under-16 boys all-Australian team after impressing at the 2024 AFL National Development Championships.
Tate Hodgson, who is from Park Orchards NRP, Lewis Houndsome who is from Yarrambat, and Harry Van Hattium from St Mary’s are the three Knights players in the boys squad.
No Calder Cannons or Western Jets have been named in the girls or boys squads.
AFL National Academy manager Tarkyn Lockyer said one of the aims of the academy was to provide new experience to up-and-coming stars.
“We are thrilled to be able to include a camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport as part of our 2026 program,” he said.
“The camp will provide a unique experience for our participants and will give them the opportunity to challenge themselves at an internationally acclaimed facility.”
