The regional NGA showcase featured talented young players from across regional Western Australia who ventured to Perth to put their footballing talent on display at the biggest stage in the state.
For many of the participating boys this was their first opportunity to attend a match let alone play out on the Optus Stadium deck, with wide-eyed grins and excitement filling the air pre-game.
The 32 young regionally based players were joined by 10 top-up players from the metro Naitanui Academy, with the groups split into two evenly matched teams resulting in a highly competitive game.
The 14-15 year old boys have been participating in Naitanui Academy training hubs from across the Pilbara, Midlands, Goldfields, South West and Great Southern, with the curtain raiser match being a reward for their commitment, work ethic, and attitude during local trainings.
Naitanui Academy Manager Chris Brown praised the skill on display in a day that was full of achievement for the entire NGA program.
“This year we strived to get two full regional sides, and in the end, I think we had 32 of the 42 total players from the regions including a record number from the Pilbara and representation from all of our regions which is fantastic,” he said.
“Some of the kids are from quite remote communities, so for them to come to Perth and get out onto the Optus Stadium ground was an awesome opportunity and you could feel the excitement in them.”
The Club’s connection to the far reaches of WA was reinforced with the 12 Pilbara-based boys taking the over 1100 kilometre-long trip to participate in the match, the highest number achieved through the academy program.
Brown reinforced how integral it is having full-time Eagles staff based in Port Hedland and Newman, deepening the connection to regional communities and fostering tangible football pathways within the Pilbara.
“We wouldn’t be able to find, engage and develop those kids on a consistent level without having a full-time staff members based in those regions and that’s thanks largely to BHP and their support,” he said.
“Our Port Hedland academy has been up-and-running full time this year, we have volunteer coaches who work at BHP that assist us in engaging with some of these kids.
“They’ve been a massive part in us being able to engage with so many kids from the Pilbara; it’s a two-plus hour flight and an 18-hour drive for these kids to come to Perth so it’s a big deal and we couldn’t do it without BHP’s support.”
Working alongside Youth Engagement Partner in BHP, the West Coast Eagles will continue to provide football opportunities to young people across WA.
