2023 FUTURES PROGRAM

Last week we held the South Fremantle Futures season launch and jumper presentation at Fremantle Oval. Each player in our squad of 40 was presented with their jumper number and was educated on the history of that particular number. Club legends Marty Atkins and Jaymie Graham each presented to the group and talked on their pathway through the development squads and what it takes to play at WAFL and AFL level.

Futures (previously known as 16s Development Squads) are the 3^rd step in the WAFL talent pathway after 14s and 15s. It’s for players in their 16^thyear and is the first time in the pathway that players will do a full preseason with their WAFL club, followed by 6 games against other WAFL clubs.
Futures is also the first time the players are exposed to the opportunity to play Representative State Football, with the WA State 16s squad being selected from players in the Futures competition. 
As well as presenting our squad with their jumper numbers, we also announced our leadership group for the 2023 Futures season. Fred Rodriguez was voted in as captain by his teammates, coaches and support staff, with Matthew Mondi and Alex MacDonald as his vice-captains. Toby Whan and Harry Heaton were voted in as emerging leaders to round out the leadership group.
On hand to present the players with their jumpers were the coaching group for the Futures program. The group is lead by Scott Faulkner as head coach, with Brad Karafil, Matt Verney and Anthony Pivac each taking a line as assistant coaches. Darren Smith, Steve Woods and Toby Prunty are also continuing their growth as development coaches with the group, with Darren and Steve having been involved in the talent pathway through 14s and 15s previously.