The GIANTS, with their partner ActewAGL, are set to unearth the next cohort of talented AFL players from Canberra and the surrounding region – kicking off in Queanbeyan next week.

The inaugural ActewAGL GIANT Opportunities Talent Search Program will be held next week with male and female athletes put through a range of tests in AFL Draft Combine conditions.

Athletes from any sporting background are encouraged to test themselves under the supervision of former GIANTS Head of Sports Science and current Academy Director John Quinn.

On top of his roles with the GIANTS, Quinn has been at the forefront of high performance and sports science for the past three decades, holding senior roles in track and field, and at the Essendon Football Club.

Athletes between 12 and 18 years of age will complete a range of activities testing their agility, speed, vertical leap and endurance.

While the best performing athletes will be invited to trial with the GIANTS Academy, the overall program aim is to encourage participation from young athletes of all levels to see how they compare against others of a similar age.

Quinn said he’s looking forward to the upcoming athlete talent searches.

“We’re really excited to be partnering with ActewAGL on this initiative as we search for the future stars of the AFL and AFL Women’s competitions,” said Quinn.

“There’s been some terrific talent come out of the ACT in recent years with Jack Steele, Aaron vandenBerg and Logan Austin making their mark in the AFL and five Canberrans named in the inaugural GIANTS’ AFL Women’s squad.

“No matter what sports they’ve played in the past, this is a terrific opportunity for all athletes to come and test themselves and see what’s possible.”

ActewAGL Director Marketing and Corporate Affairs Paul Walshe says it will be great to see athletes get the opportunity to test themselves against others of the same age and across a variety of different sports.

“We hope the program will be a springboard to get young boys and girls focusing on their own athletic ability, and to take part in something that hasn’t been available before,” said Walshe.

“It’s great to have the calibre of John Quinn overseeing the program and giving local kids such a fantastic opportunity in their own backyard,” Paul said.

Media will be welcome to attend the first ActewAGL GIANT Opportunities Talent Search at Karabar High School at 10am, Wednesday 23rd November.

The program will continue at the following venues on the following four dates, with more to come in 2017:

• Karabar High School, 10 am, Wednesday 23 November (media welcome)
• Erindale College, 3pm, Wednesday 23 November
• St Mary MacKillop College, Tuesday 29 November
• An open session at the PCYC, 4pm, Tuesday 29 November