SUANFC U18 Colts Program

In 2009, under the guidance of super coach Tim Barling (ex-Richmond and Sydney Swans) SUANFC launched its inaugural U18 side into the Sydney AFL Challenge Cup competition.

Having won the minor and outright Premiership, the Colts were then promoted to the Sydney AFL U18 Premier Cup. In 2010, the Colts took on all comers and eventually won the Premier Cup premiership in a closely-fought encounter with East Coast Eagles. In 2011 the SUANFC U18 Colts again played finals, falling short to the eventual Premiers St Ignatius, Riverview.

Our U18 Colts Program has relished from the support of our junior affiliate clubs, Newtown Swans JAFC, Moore Park Tigers JAFC and Glebe Greyhounds JAFC. The Club has provided development work to these clubs and in 2010 players from affliated junior clubs debuted with the SUANFC U18 Colts for the first time.

Aside the success of two premierships and three straight finals campaigns, the SUANFC U18 Colts Program has produced three national AFL listed players. Tom Young, Jarrod Witts and Michael Hartley, who each spent formative years in the program. Into its fourth year, the Program continues to receive the invaluable support of  former Sydney Uni senior premiership player coach and 300 game VFL and AFL player Rod Carter, who is the 2012 U18 Colts Coach.

In 2012, as Sydney University steps into the North East AFL, the Club aims to build its relationship with the Sydney Swans sharpening its  focus on player development in a bid to provide a professional football environment from which young players can aspire to be drafted by senior AFL clubs. In line with ths goal, in 2012 SUANFC expanded its High Performance Program and developed the role of High Performance Manager. This role will focus on the development of our talented group of young players.

From inception in 2009, the SUANFC U18 Colts have trained with the Sydney AFL Premier Division group, while at the same time training with affiliate junior club U16s once a week. Guided by senior coaches and mentored by senior players, the Sydney University U18 Colts transfer their development to the junior players.

SUANFC has always provided a place for participants of all abilities and in-line with the significant work it has done in recent years to support local junior clubs to further develop the code, the Club provides a significant participation and talent pathway for local juniors and those seeking a quality football environment.

For all enquiries about joining the SUANFC U18 Colts Program, please call Vice President, Junior Football, Kevin Hall at vpjuniors@suanfc.con or Martin Bell, SUANFC Operations Coordinator at m.bell@sport.usyd.edu.au