Both Reid brothers have had successful football careers, with Sam playing over 100 AFL games for Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants while Ben has played for clubs in the VFL, SANFL and NEAFL.
More recently, both brothers have been integral members of the historic treble-winning Echuca senior side that took home its third GVL flag on September 21.
However, the duo want their academy to cater to junior players across the entire region focusing mainly on Echuca, Moama, Tongala, Rochester, Kyabram, Lockington, Bamawm, Leitchville and Gunbower, but all are welcome to join.
The academy will begin with a four-week junior AFL training program focusing on ages 12 to 16, aiming to deliver training that is focused on honing skills for higher level football.
The program will be a one-hour weekly training session with Sam and Ben with specialised AFL-accredited training. Each academy member will receive a training shirt and hat. The academy is set to launch in November.
The price of the four-week program ranges depending on age. It is $120 for under-12s, $140 for under-14s and $160 for under-17s.
Sam explained why he and brother Ben wanted to launch the academy and how it would function.
“We want to give the kids all the knowledge from our experience playing professional and senior football over the last 15 years and give them the tools they need to succeed,” he said.
“Ideally, we’d like to keep the training groups relatively small so that all the players can get the attention they deserve and need for their development.
“It’s fundamental work focusing on skills and technique with a little bit of contact stuff as we move through but mainly broadening and sharpening your skill set.”
Due to Echuca’s relatively small size, the brothers identified the need for high performance coaching in the area, particularly as young players in Shepparton and Bendigo had more opportunities.
“We’ve found that compared to Shepparton and Bendigo we are a bit isolated in terms of football; the offices of the GV and Murray leagues are in Shepparton, so they get a lot of attention,” Ben said.
“We want to try and develop and retain players in the area and bring them through the ranks of their clubs to boost the level of competition here.
“Our aim is to give all our kids the best opportunity to play senior footy for their clubs or play representative footy.”
Sam said the main goal of the academy would be to get a player to come through the program, play local footy and then go on to play professionally.
“Our ultimate dream for the Reid Academy is to have someone come through the programs and ultimately get drafted into the AFL or AFLW,” he said.
“For that player to be able to take away something that we have given them and implemented it into the best performance they can, would be wonderful.”
Ben encouraged girls to give the program a try and said he hoped the academy could play a part in further developing the already strong female competition in the area.
“We would love to see girls come and participate because there is a great talent pool of female footballers in the area and being able to increase their abilities and opportunities makes us happy,” he said.
To secure your position in the Reid Academy, visit @thereidacademy_ on Instagram or Facebook or email admin@thereidacademy for more information.
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