Our program starts with a 13s Program & Academy Fundamentals Program (13/14/15) years old’s, and the program caters for players up until they are 19 years of age. Each year the lists are reviewed, if a player is selected one year, it does not guarantee selection the next, and vice versa, if a player is not selected one year it does not mean they can't be the next. 

13s Program, player turning 13 years old

Level 1, Academy Fundamentals, 14-15 years

Level 2, Development, 15-16 years

Level 3, Performance, 17-18 years (inc a few 19 years)

To be eligible for selection in the Brisbane Lions Academy program players must reside in in our allocated zone.

Please use the below map to establish if you are eligible for selection in the Brisbane Lions Academy.

https://www.afl.com.au/draft/nga-clubacademies

The Academy doesn't host selection trials; our philosophy on selection is to ensure our staff are attending club & school football regularly to ensure they are across all players.  We also encourage our Regional Managers to have conversations with club & school coaches about their playing list.

Our Regional Managers also attend the Queensland School Sport Representative carnivals (both 15s and 12s) to view players perform at a higher level than club footy.

Each year the lists are reviewed, if a player is selected one year, it does not guarantee selection the next, and vice versa, if a player is not selected one year it does not mean they can't be the next. 

You can't be accepted into our program as AFL rules prohibit us including players outside our designated Academy zone.

We encourage club and school coaches to build relationships with our staff and to discuss players they feel should be a part of the program.

For Sunshine Coast-Wide Bay, contact Jackson Gash: jgash@lions.com.au

For Brisbane North, contact Meg Pullinger: mpullinger@lions.com.au

For Brisbane South-Darling Downs, contact Steve Wearne: swearne@lions.com.au

Program costs vary for each Level, and the Phase you progress to.

In 2025 should a player complete both phases in Level 2 and Level 3 the cost will be $800, plus a $150 travel level per interstate game selected for.  Should a player complete both phases in Level 1 the total cost will be $510.