Twenty-six of the best young Australian football players from across Europe will train together for the week, before taking on an Australian team in an AFL match to be played on Saturday, April 12.
 
The 2014 European Legion team comprises players aged 17 to 25 years from Croatia, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland and Sweden.  They will be coached by Gaelic footballer and Sydney Swans Premiership player, Tadhg Kennelly.
 
“We’re really looking forward to the week,” he said. “Spending the time together to train alongside the best young players from Australia is a new and exciting opportunity. It’s going to accelerate their skills and show us who can handle the pressure best, not to mention the time the AFL Club recruiters will get to watch and speak with them.”
 
“The players will go back to their countries with a better idea of life as a professional athlete and they can share what they’ve learnt with their team mates. Long term it all helps to grow the game in Europe.” Kennelly said.
 
The Series started today with training sessions for both the Legion and the squad of players from Australia. The Australian athletes are part of a talent development program run by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the AFL. The Easter Series forms a valuable part of their pathway, with most if not all of the young men expected to be selected by the Australian AFL Clubs in the player Draft in November this year.

For the players from Sweden, Ireland, Croatia, Denmark, Germany and England, the week at Harrow provides a rare opportunity to work together, to train with and learn skills from fellow athletes from Australia.  Several of the Legion are already well on the path to playing AFL at the professional level, with Daniel Flynn listed as a international rookie with Port Adelaide and 2-3 other players currently being considered.

Over the week, the athletes from both squads will train together on the field and in the gym, listen to elite coaches and enjoy some of the sights of London including a tour of Wembley Stadium.

The main match, Legion vs Australia, is on Saturday, April 12 from 2pm – 4.30pm. Click here for more information.