Team GWS is pleased with the AFL’s announcement today, that the AFL Commission had approved the NAB AFL Draft, NAB AFL Rookie Draft and AFL Player concessions for the club.

Team GWS High Performance Manager Alan McConnell said:

“A general overview of the document is that it gives due credit to the size of the challenge ahead and differences that exist between the build of our list for Team GWS and that of the Gold Coast Franchise. Access to the National talent pool is commensurate with these differences.

“We are delighted with the access that we have also been given to players in NT, ACT and Southern NSW.

“Team GWS will now establish a strong presence in these regions focusing heavily on talent identification and development. We will be recruiting staff with the specific brief to provide opportunities for the best athletes from both the current pathway and athletes from other sports.

“These young players will be able to take advantage of a dedicated development program, and through our involvement with the TAC Cup, will be exposed to an elite competition.”

“We are disappointed that we did not receive access to players from the NT, Southern NSW and the ACT for a longer period as per our submission as this would have increased our ability to meet the challenge of providing more talent from these regions onto our playing list.

“In terms of local talent from Greater Western Sydney, we will obviously work with the constraints of the scholarship scheme as it exists. We trust that any review will further incentivise us to develop talent from Greater Western Sydney.

“An increased list size, and salary cap relief are tools we will be able to use to develop our new team in the best possible manner. This is a really exciting time for AFL Football in Sydney.”