Eagle stars launch academy

Football legends were in town last week, passing on pearls of wisdom to upand-coming talents from around the South West.

The Dean Kemp Football Academy launched in Bunbury with West Coast Eagles’ big names Josh Kennedy and Mark Le Cras joining Fremantle and WAFL stars at the intensive two-day workshop at Hay Park and Hands Oval.

More than 200 young footballers between the ages of seven and 16 were mentored by the players and more than 20 coaches.

The academy is the first of its kind to be held in the South West.

Players not only have the opportunity to better their skills, but are tested in several aspects of the game and receive written feedback on their performance over the course of the program.

Some children came from as far away as Esperance and Christmas Island to take part.

Kemp, a 243-game AFL veteran and dual Eagles’ premiership player, said the academy had been a success and he had received encouraging feedback from players and parents.

‘‘It’s been awesome. To see the smiling faces on these little kids makes it all worthwhile,’’ he said.

‘‘To have the Eagles, Dockers and WAFL players come down has just been huge.’’

After being raised in Kalgoorlie, Kemp said he had an appreciation of the limited opportunities available to emerging regional players.

He now lives in Margaret River.

It is anticipated the academy could expand into other regional centres as early as next year.

‘‘That’s the main reason I did it. I know the regional kids miss out on a lot of the stuff the metro kids get,’’ he said.

‘‘The kids have got to learn how to kick and handball the ball properly. If they get some input and advice from some AFL players that’s what it’s all about.’’

South West football development coordinator Shane Atherton said the response to the event had been remarkable.

‘‘We haven’t historically run holiday clinics in the South West but this just proves there is a demand for it,’’ he said.

‘‘This year’s pilot has been a fantastic success and we’d like to think the program is so appealing we’ll get the same players back in future years.’’