NT Thunder’s youngest-ever signing Michael Mummery has been invited to be a member of the prestigious NAB AFL Level One Academy.
The 16-year-old’s selection in the Academy is yet another accolade for the Karama local. In January this year, the talented youngster was named the best player in the Australian side that defeated South Africa by 95-points in Potchefstroom.
One of the nation’s brightest underage footballing talents, Mummery was also named in the AFL Under-15s Flying Boomerangs side following his standout performances for the NT in the 2015 AFL National Kickstart Championships.
An equally talented soccer player, Mummery has only been playing AFL since under-14 level when he represented Nightcliff in the 2012-2013 TIO NTFL Under-14 Lew Fatt competition.
In just his second season of football, the powerful teenager managed to kick an impressive 16 goals in a single match.
After two seasons with the Tigers, Mummery moved to Southern Districts at the beginning of the 2015-16 TIO NTFL season. It didn’t take too long for the powerful forward to star for the Club, kicking 66 goals at Under-16 level and representing the Crocs in two NTFL Premier League matches in the same year.
At 182cm, the 83kg forward has been displaying the attributes required to develop into an elite footballer.
AFLNT High Performance Manager Wally Gallio said Mummery is deserving of the achievement and his selection in the Academy is a real credit to his approach this year.
“Michael has got the ability to be a quality footballer and his passion for the game has grown enormously since coming in to our programs,” Gallio said.
“He brings something different to the table, he is mature beyond his years and a real team player with immense potential.
“As a player, Michael has a fast lead, is strong overhead, and possesses an accurate drop punt. “His selection in the Academy is a reward for his hard work and dedication on and off the field. “
From our perspective, we will be working closely with his NTFL club and the NT Thunder coaching staff to manage his workload over the next couple of years,” Gallio said.
Mummery was the Club’s youngest ever debutant at 15-years-old, playing in Thunder’s Round 1 clash against the Gold Coast Suns reserves at TIO Stadium.
Thunder’s coaching staff identified his x-factor abilities after he trained with the squad for the last six weeks of the 2015 season.
NT Thunder Head Coach Xavier Clarke said the Nightcliff and Southern Districts product has what it takes to handle the jump in the Academy.
“He trained with us last year to a point where he blended in so well that his age was not a factor at all,” Clarke said.
Mummery said he was excited about the opportunity.
“I am over the moon to be selected, I only just found out and can’t wait to get involved,” Mummery said.
The talented sportsman represented the Territory at the NAB AFL National Under-16 Championships this year, and will be eligible for the AFL Draft in 2017, a goal he has his eyes firmly set on.