Former Fremantle Docker and Dampier Sharks premiership coach Steven Dodd wants AFL Academies in remote WA

Former Fremantle defender and four-time Dampier Sharks premiership coach Steven Dodd has urged the AFL to follow through on an idea to launch regional academies in WA so players aren’t forced to prematurely move to Perth to chase their footy dreams. AFL executive general manager of football Laura Kane revealed to The West Australian in June that the league was considering establishing hubs in remote WA towns after recognising the travel challenges for players throughout the state. Victoria’s elite under 18 competition has clubs based in regional areas with three teams set up more than 150km from Melbourne, but all of the WAFL clubs are based close to Perth. Dodd played 101 games for Fremantle after playing his under age football for Lynwood-Ferndale Junior Football Club. He moved to Karratha seven years ago to work as a supervisor for Rio Tinto and has led Dampier Sharks to the last four premierships in the North Pilbara Football League. Having spent time with Fremantle during their recent Community Camp in Karratha, Dodd said it was important for the AFL to give regional players more development options. “There’s a lot of the younger players that are coming through the system these days, right though the 15’s to 18s,” Dodd told The West Australian. “To give them the opportunity to get scouted, get seen and start the pathway to eventually moving to Perth and transitioning to the WAFL system to give themselves the best chance of playing AFL footy is huge. I’d be really supportive of that. “It is a challenge up here. Through Swan Districts and the V Swans, the pathway the schools have and Clontarf, there are opportunities to get seen. But having a regional academy that devotes and sees the talent and tries to harness that would be really beneficial. “This is the resource sector for most of Australia. There are a lot of high profile people up here. They work and have young families. They want to give their kids the best opportunities. “A lot go to boarding school but there are a lot that stay and want to be close to their families. Giving them the best opportunities and the pathways to be able to still fulfil their dreams while living regionally is super important.” Some of WA’s biggest names have grown up in remote areas including dual Brownlow medalists Nat Fyfe (Lake Grace), Patrick Cripps (Northampton). New Sydney coach Dean Cox played for Dampier before moving to play for East Perth and then getting rookie listed by West Coast. Dodd said there was plenty of talent within the North Pilbara Football League who would benefit from being able to stay at home and develop. “We had four 16-year-olds in the team last season. I’m a big advocate of developing the juniors as much as we can to help to fast track these guys to their dream of playing AFL footy,” he said. “I get a lot of satisfaction in coaching. I am definitely enjoying coaching and hopefully developing future AFL players..”