The Hyundai Lions Academy will be holding its annual Carnival Night for its Future Stars program next Friday 12 November at Giffin Park, Coorparoo.

The Hyundai Lions Academy was developed in conjunction with AFL Queensland to seek out talented young players from ages 12 to 18. The Academy runs training programs throughout the year where players develop their skills while playing at a Club level.

The Future Stars is an Academy program which identifies young talent in 12-13 year olds (Grade 7) who play AFL at their school, but not yet at a Club level. Schools are visited by AFLQ Regional Staff who run clinics and observe players to find our ‘Future Stars.’

Players are invited to a regional trial day, followed by a four-week training program. At the end of the program, a Carnival Night is held where the boys face off in a 9-a-side competition.

From here, players are selected for the Academy based on their skill, athleticism, performance in the training program and their performance at the Carnival Night.

At this year’s Carnival Night, there will be eight teams who will play in a round-robin format on a field approximately 90 metres long. Teams will play three games back to back from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Academy Manager Luke Curran says that the Academy programs help produce a lot of quality young players.

“We are finding some really talented players out there,” Curran said.

“The guys who continue to perform and develop their game go through to the next year of the Academy program, and a few have gone on to play state footy over the past couple of years.”

The Academy runs similar programs for each age group from 12-18.

The Carnival Night will be held at Giffin Park, Birubi St, Coorparoo on Friday 12 November from 5.30pm-8.30pm. Spectators are welcome - come see our Future Stars in action!