The trade period has finished, the players from all teams are yet to return for the pre-season, and the AFL National Draft is not for another three weeks.

But don’t think Collingwood is twiddling its thumbs on the sidelines.

The club’s Next Generation Academy program is embarking on its next step this week, as staff from across the club, led by AFL Women’s and Next Generation Academy coach Wayne Siekman, head to the Northern Territory for the Michael Long Cup.

The competition sees under-14 players from regions across the Territory meet in Darwin to play in a lightening premiership this coming Friday and Saturday.

Siekman, who leads the club’s Next Generation Academy, will coach a Collingwood team made up of several 12-to-14-year-old footballers from across the Northern Territory’s Barkly Region.



We've arrived! Welcome to Tennant Creek. Photo: Collingwood Media.

The program encompasses children aged between 11-and-18-years in the 322,514 square kilometre Region, and allows Collingwood the chance to invest in youngsters from diverse backgrounds and indigenous heritage to play football and develop elite talent within those areas.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us as a club and for the young fellas themselves to play and represent their region, which they haven’t been able to do before,” Siekman told Collingwood Media.

“They will also be branded as ‘Collingwood’, too, which will be exciting for them.”

Performances at the carnival form will play a pivotal role in the selection of the 2018 Northern Territory under-15 state team. Siekman will be aiming to give his players the chance to show their skills, while gelling together as a team.



The local school oval in Tennant Creek. Photo: Collingwood Media.

It won’t be easy. Many of the youngsters have only met each other this week, as they converge in Tennant Creek ahead of the 12-hour bus ride.

Siekman and his Next Generation Academy colleagues have visited Tennant Creek at different stages throughout the year. Part of the program’s role is to blend football and education, to help each teenager make the best of their long-term opportunities.

“This is the perfect opportunity to invest, as the under-14s are at a really good stage in school life here,” he explained.

“To play footy on the weekend, you have to attend school 75-to-80-percent of the time, which acts as a carrot because footy is so big in this area.



Next Generation Academy Coach Wayne Siekman speaks to his players. Photo: Collingwood Media.

“Kids don’t want to miss out on footy, so it’s a way to connect education and football and bring them together.

“In a remote area like this, it’s hard to identify talent, so opportunities like the Michael Long Cup are so valuable in attracting the most talented kids and ticking the box of school attendance is massive.

“At 14-years-of-age, if there are players who are showing glimpses of talent, it gives us the opportunity to work with them over the next four years to help find out if they can progress with their football to a higher level.”

Siekman coached many of the 14-year-olds in a practice match against Alice Springs at Tennant Creek on Wednesday night.

The players will join Siekman and Collingwood staff members from various areas of the club on the trip to Darwin, with the first match to be played against Geelong’s Next Generation Academy at 4.30pm on Friday.



The sun sets on a balmy night in Tennant Creek. Photo: Collingwood Media.