Members of the STK Academy elite squad during a recent training camp at RSEA Park. (Photo: Nathan Whytcross)

Exciting draft-eligible talent, father-son prospects and the piloting of an elite female football program have the STK Academy poised for a bigger and better 2023.

Following a successful 2022 which saw STK Academy graduates Cameron Mackenzie (Hawthorn) and Angus McLennan (St Kilda) earn AFL contracts, the Academy's 2023 elite boys squad (16-18 years of age) recently assembled for the first time in a full-day training camp at RSEA Park.

Preparations begin for 2023 STK Academy elite boys

The 2023 STK Academy elite boys tune up for the new year in a one-day training camp, including a fitting out from New Balance.
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The intensive day allowed the players to get a head-start on their 2023 campaign, with apparel partner New Balance also coming to the party to kit out the squad.

"The purpose of the camp was to firstly bring together our Academy players, who all have different education and sporting commitments, and begin to benchmark where the athletes are at physically and technically," Manager of Community Football Pathways and Partnerships, Jack Henty, said.

"Secondly, it was a great to chance to provide educational streams to the players on the holistic nature of being a professional footballer, including off-field life skills and professional standards. 

The players complete an educational session during their camp at RSEA Park. (Photo: Nathan Whytcross)

"We have had two strong years with six players being drafted by either our club or other AFL clubs, and the talent coming through looks to be healthy."

New wheels from New Balance. (Photo: Nathan Whytcross)

Josh Docking and Will Nish will be names to watch in next year's STK Academy elite squad, with the Sandringham Dragons duo eligible for the 2023 draft, while small forward Sam Latreille will play for the Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham Zebras in the hope of being drafted after missing out this year as a bottom-ager.

Will Nish will be a player to watch in 2023. (Photo: Nathan Whytcross)

Father-son prospects Boston Everitt and Elwood Peckett will also look to continue their promising development as they eye the 2024 draft.

Henty said there was plenty to look forward to, but not just from the perspective of the elite boys squad.

"We're looking forward to a full and uninterrupted 2023 elite program which will provide full opportunities for the players and staff involved to develop and be the best they can be," he said.

"Through the support of Moorabbin Airport and the AFL, we will also be piloting an elite female academy for multicultural and Indigenous females in bayside aged 16 to 19 to receive the same support and resources that the current boys do.

"We are also looking forward to helping and inspiring the next generation of males and females through our junior academies (13-15 years of age) throughout Melbourne’s south. We are assisted greatly in our strong football heartland through our community football partners – SMJFL, FDJFL, Sandringham Dragons and Dandenong Stingrays."

The Saints wish to thank STK Academy partner Moorabbin Airport for its ongoing support as they celebrate these key achievements for the STK Academy in 2022:

  • Branding change from Next Generation Academy to STK Academy
  • Extension and expansion of partnership with Moorabbin Airport to partner with the whole STK Academy brand to 2024.
  • Aligned academy NAB League zones (Sandringham Dragons and Dandenong Stingrays) playing off in both the male and female NAB League Grand Finals, with a strong representation of players who graduated from the Saints' junior academies
  • Over 1000 kids participating in the STK Academy school holidays programs
  • Two players drafted from elite squad
  • A total of six AFL draftees coming through the Saints' junior academies (Charlie Clarke, Olli Hotton, Cam Mackenzie, Gus McLennan, Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw

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