11:00 AM Tue 21 Dec, 2010
Aptly named after current Bulldogs star, and one of Williamstown’s biggest success stories, the Liam Picken Academy will take a holistic approach to development
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Our VFL affiliate Williamstown recently announced an exciting initiative for Season 2011 and beyond.
Aptly named after current Bulldogs star, and one of Williamstown’s biggest success stories, the “Liam Picken Academy” is a high quality personal development program that provides support to first and second year players aged between 18-21.
Young footballers with dreams of being drafted to an AFL list or aspiring to be involved with an elite VFL Club will be given every opportunity to realise their full football potential. Along with an intense football focus, the program will also concentrate on developing the personal attributes of participants to enhance their ability to build an alternative career beyond football.
The Liam Picken Academy will take a holistic approach to development with players undergoing a career oriented participation induction program with all players graduating with a Certificate 3 in Sport & Recreation. With an emphasis on life and professional development, components of the induction program include financial advice, goal setting, resume writing, time management, cooking lessons, health and wellbeing as well as organising a charity event for homeless youths.
Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon said it was a real focus of the club to place increased emphasis on the development of the Club’s playing list. “There’s going to be a real focus on the VFL competition now with more and more players being drafted from VFL lists and the introduction of the Leagues Championship Cup. We recognised we needed to really strengthen our development programs for our players both on and off the field.”
Dixon stated it was a natural choice to name the Development Academy after former Seagull Liam Picken. “Liam’s story and rapid rise from country football to the AFL, and now representing his country is a great example of where hard work and perseverance can take you. The club could not be prouder of ‘Pickers’ and everyone gets great satisfaction from seeing him run around in Bulldogs colours.”
“It’s great we can honour Liam and use his journey to motivate all of our Academy Inductees. We are very excited about the Liam Picken Development Academy and we look forward to many more Liam Picken’s making the transition from VFL level to the AFL.”
For more information about the Liam Picken Academy please click
here or contact Chris Dixon at
cdixon@westernjets.asn.au.
for westernbulldogs.com.au
