While the initiative is still awaiting approval, it is expected that the academy could begin around April or May with the AFL National Inclusion Carnival possibly starting in Western Australia or Victoria in October.

The National Inclusion Carnival is an annual tournament run by the AFL to help showcase the talents of players from every state and territory with an intellectual disability.

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AFL Tasmania North-West regional manager Barry Gaby said AFL Tasmania was excited by the academy concept, which has worked successfully in South Australia, to help develop the NIC players.

"What we aim to do this year is more of an academy style set up ... because we've got more time before the October carnival and can do it on more of a [state-wide] basis," he said.

"That will act as the selection process for our inclusion carnival as well but we're trying to get a lot more training into them and obviously this will be valuable for their skill development.

"Hopefully through this academy set up we can actually identify some more players that might be playing at club level or school that might be able to fit our inclusion footy team."

South Australia launched their national inclusion academy last year which essentially provides a year-round program for the NIC eligible players. The academy is focused on skill development but also has a focus on improving players well-being and education outcomes.

"We'd like to [see] some local clubs get involved and local coaches get involved ... we'd like to get some more local clubs involved and spreading the message about the opportunities for players that do qualify for our inclusion team," Gaby said.

"I think the goal is for it to have a long-term plan, some of our players don't play footy in the mainstream and this will develop their skills."

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Tasmanian inclusion carnival representative Alan Dengate said the move to bring in the academy would be a major boost for the players.

"It's good to have an academy because you can really work on a lot of high-tech skill level ... because the coaches can work very closely with you," he said.

"There's going to be five or six [maybe more] players in each region I'd imagine and the coaches can work very closely with those five or six in the academy."

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Ahead of the academy starting, Dengate said that he was impressed by AFL Tasmania's work in the disability inclusion space, in which they collaborate with the New Horizons organisation.

"It's been amazing to see the growth from AFL Tasmania, when I first started [the AFL National Inclusion Carnival] wasn't a big thing but since I started they've stepped up all six years and they have really improved each year," he said.

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Despite the carnival being cancelled last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic the main stakeholders are hopeful that it will be held later this year.

"I think it's great, our boys missed being part of it last year ... I think during COVID when it was all locked down they missed each other and that bonding session a bit ... our carnival is really good," Gaby said.

"Everyone's really excited to be part of it if they do get it back off the ground this year, they're all really looking forward to it."

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