Cazalys NT Talent Academy

"Developing better people, better players."

We strive to:

Identify and develop talented young athletes
Provide high-performance, education, and development opportunities – on and off the field
Provide multiple opportunities for players to showcase their skills and qualities ahead of the AFL and AFLW Drafts (through the ages 15-19)
Prepare players drafted for life as a professional athlete

Role of the talent pathway:
- Develop young athletes to prepare for professional success
- Build a strong pipeline of future AFL and AFLW players
- Provide compelling opportunities

Vision for the Talent pathway

The 2024 Michael Long Cup will be held in August, dates and schedule to be confirmed

Michael Long Cup Purpose:

Identify talented young athletes – U15 competition
Provide high-performance, education, and development opportunities – on and off the field
Talent pathway

Age guidelines:

Players must be in their 12th year (born in 2011) to 15th year (born in 2008).

Teams from all the different regions across the Northern Territory:

Darwin and Palmerston
East Arnhem
West Arnhem and Tiwi Island
Big Rivers and West Daly
Barkly
Central Australia

Why do we have the Michael Long Cup?

Provide opportunities for Next Generation Academy Clubs to identify and build relationships with young players (male and female)
Provide opportunities for Indigenous and multicultural programs to be promoted
Pathway for players to be recognised and invited to the Cazalys NT Talent Academy program (15 – 19 years)
Promote health, wellbeing, and AFL across the NT and to showcase the young talent within the Territory
To ensure that young Territorians have an opportunity to develop their skills and be identified for future Talent programs

Upcoming NT Academy Events: