AFL heavyweights Richmond and Greater Western Sydney have joined forces to ensure the North East Border remains a rich breeding ground for elite football talent.
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The 2019 grand finalists are key stakeholders in the new AFL Border Academy which will launch later this year with training hubs in Wangaratta and Albury-Wodonga.
Both clubs have run concurrent next generation academies on either side of the Murray River - GWS on the northern side of the Border, while Richmond has invested heavily in northern Victoria - but will now establish a joint partnership.
Murray Bushrangers talent manger Mick Wilson said the new venture, which also involves AFLNEB, AFLNSW/ACT and the Bushrangers, was a massive coup for North East football.
Richmond and the Giants will help with funding, coach development and ensure the curriculum reflects the needs of future AFL footballers.
''These two are arguably the best football clubs in the country and to have their input in developing the next wave of players is extraordinary,'' Wilson said.
''By having a joint academy we ensure that the best young players across our region are training and playing together.''
The initial academy intake in 2020 will focus on under-15 boys, with the aim of expanding the program in coming years.
The academy is seen as an important stepping stone for players hoping to gain selection in the North East Borders V/Line Cup squad before hopefully graduating into the Murray Bushrangers program, which starts at under-16 level.
The Border Academy has already secured the services of some of the region's best junior coaches.
Former Sydney Swan and Murray Bushrangers coach Leon Higgins will oversee the Albury-Wodonga training base, while Bushrangers under-16 coach Justin McMahon will head up the Wangaratta base.
Confirmed assistants include Ovens and Murray premiership coach Peter Tossol, Victorian under-16 assistant coach Ross Hill, Bushrangers coach and Victoria Country under-18 assistant Mark Brown, V/Line coach Jeremy Campbell and Bushrangers under-16 assistant Carl Norton.
Several other O and M identities are also expected to lend their expertise.
''The feedback from football people around the region has been really positive,'' Wilson said.
Approximately 30 to 40 players will be based at each training hub, Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Players from the likes of Corryong, Henty and Mount Beauty will fall under the jurisdiction of the Albury-Wodonga hub, while the Wangaratta base will include players from as far as Benalla-Mansfield, Myrtleford and Yarrawonga.
The academy will run for a 12-week block throughout the second semester, conducting training on Monday nights.
Wilson said the academy curriculum will focus heavily on the fundamentals of football, in addition to strength and conditioning and individual vision.
The academy will begin mailing out invitations early February.
The move comes just days after Toni Wilson medallist Beck O'Connell announced she would be running a netball academy in Albury.
