Launceston Grammar, Old Launcestonians launch Player Pathway Program

Launceston Grammar senior boy's coach Jay Schulz, also an OLs player, explained the new Player Pathway Program.

"There's an affiliation that's been there for years but nothing as official set in place," he said.

"We're going to give the school kids the opportunity to come and join in at OLs and we're going to have the coaches come here and help out and have much more of a relationship and connection as opposed to just saying 'well come down if you want to'.

"We're putting a program in place so everything's more set firm and everyone knows what's going on and what's going to happen."

OLs senior coaches Abbey Green and Kane Sanders as well as players will help out at Grammar training and games.

The school's players will also have the opportunity to train with OLs' men's and women's teams.

OLs, an NTFA club, is also benefitting from using the school's facilities.

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Grammar has boy's firsts and seconds who play in the statewide SATIS competition which runs through term two.

The girl's senior team plays in the NSATIS competition against independent schools in the north and north-west. The school's girl's program was introduced four years ago and is led by coach Adrian Finch.

There's also a boy's year 7 and 8 football team which plays in the Northern High Schools Sports Association.

OLs, which doesn't have a junior program, is keen to foster a pathway which will see more Grammar players join the club when they finish school.

"It's (SATIS) only a short season with only six or seven games. But then it's what happens after that," Schultz, a former AFL player, said.

"We want to try and keep the young boys and girls coming to OLs after that and joining the training there so that as a year 12 is coming up, they feel like they've got a home and a club to go to as well. That's the idea behind it."

Former AFLW player Green is looking forward to passing on knowledge to the young players.

"I'll be coming down assisting with training drills and mentoring them on game days as well. Most importantly, forming that relationship and being that extra support," she said.

"It's about helping them throughout their football careers while they're still in school and making sure they have the best possible football experience while they're young and then transitioning into that women's senior program."

Having Green's support is an exciting prospect for Grammar player Ashton Billing.

"Especially for the women's side because usually we do have a lot of male coaches and getting the female perspective will definitely change us up this year," she said.

Billings' teammate Olivia Frost is likewise pumped for the experience.

"I'm really looking forward to promoting girls in AFL and pushing for everybody to have a go, especially the younger ones," she said.

Meanwhile, Sanders was pleased to see the partnership made official.

"It's fantastic, it goes back to tradition where the grammar school always aligned with Old Launcestonians Football Club - as were other schools around Launceston," he said.

"It's going back to the grassroots and providing a pathway for grammar students to join a senior football team."

OLs president Tom Harrison explained the school had allowed the club to use Grammar-based Faulkner Park in the off-season. The club's home ground is Invermay Park.

"Being able to use the school facilities has added great value for our players," he said.

"In a town that's probably short a football ground, it's been quite tough. To be able to get those facilities to allow us to compete against some of those bigger football clubs has been a huge bonus."

He said the club was delighted the school wanted to reciprocate the relationship.

"Our football club has had its ups and downs, but we feel like we're in a really good position," he said.

"The school's had a strong footballing background and combined with our background, I think we can do something great in the Launceston community."

Launceston Grammar headmaster Richard Ford said it was a boon for the school and club.

"The history between the school and the football club goes back a long way but this development takes it to a whole new level," he said.

"For our students, they're inevitably going to benefit from the expertise within the local club, with people like Abbey Green and Kane Sanders mentoring them.

"We know the club is also going to benefit from having a pipeline of players coming their way, (who are) leaving school with a desire to keep on playing.

"One of our hopes for all students is they're fit for life and continue to be involved and contribute to the community."

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