02 Oct 2008

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) hosted the Australian Football League's (AFL) draft camp for the tenth time this year to test and develop some of the nation’s best football talent.

It is testament to the reputation and success of the AIS that for the last decade the AFL draft camp has been held at this world-class centre for elite athlete development.

The AIS is recognised for its cutting-edge sports science and technological innovation, which makes a significant contribution to Australia’s elite sporting success.

AIS sports scientists have played a big part in the testing and assessment of talented footballers during the AFL draft camp over the last 10 years.

AFL coaches have been given exclusive first-hand access to intensive physiological and psychological testing by AIS sports science experts.

The range of testing and assessment has provided an opportunity for AFL coaches to cast their eye over some of Australia’s best football talent to see if they have the goods to compete at the elite level.

This intake of talented footballers is being touted as some of the best prospects yet to take part in the AFL draft camp.
In 2007, AFL clubs drafted 48 players from the AIS camp and a further 13 players were rookie listed.

AIS physiologist Dr David Pyne has been overseeing the AFL draft camp from day one, coordinating and refining the tests to suit the needs of the clubs.

‘The AFL draft camp is becoming more professional every year, and the players and officials are taking it very seriously,’ Pyne said.
‘The amount of preparation we understand that players and development programs are putting into the draft camp has increased significantly.

‘I am now getting a lot of requests from officials, coaches and parents seeking guidance on how they can best prepare for the camp.’
The players are put through a variety of tests conducted by AIS sports scientists to assess their skills and abilities for AFL football, including:

• fitness assessments (height, skin folds, arm length, hand span)
• psychomotor tests (reaction time, decision-making and peripheral awareness)
• sprint, agility, vertical jump testing
• shuttle run (the gruelling beep test)
• three-kilometre time trail.

The majority of 2008 AFL draftees will emerge from this pool of youngsters taking part in the draft camp.