Adelaide will create a new Crows Development Squad of at least 16 players from across South Australia to train and be available as top-up players for its State League team in 2014.

The Crows Development Squad could be made up of players from SANFL clubs and A1 Amateur League clubs, who have been invited to nominate one player per club. Any father-son qualified players who want to be part of our program would also be eligible.

It is envisaged that this group will train with Crows players once per week from November all the way through to next September.

Adelaide’s highly successful APY Lands indigenous program could also provide occasional top-up options.

Six SANFL clubs have given a strong indication of their desire to be involved by providing an opportunity to 18-22 year-old players to be part of the Crows Development Squad and potentially play for the Crows in the State League competition in 2014.

Crows GM of Football Administration Phil Harper said the Crows had also invited the SA Amateur League clubs to provide another player as part of this Development Squad.

“The principle of this model has been met with enthusiasm by Amateur League officials, who will now consult with their clubs,” Harper said.

“We see this concept as further enhancing our Club’s mantra as ‘the Team for all South Australians’ by giving as many opportunities as possible to as many clubs as possible to help us form our inaugural State League team in 2014.

“We believe that the program set by our Development coaches will enhance the prospects of these young players getting drafted into the AFL system as well as help them improve their football skills and enhance their ability to perform for their local team.

“It will be a great opportunity for these players to be part of our Club’s development program.

“And when these players are not playing for the Crows’ State League team, they still have a home to go to at their local club each week, in a similar concept to the successful Geelong model in the VFL.”

Statistics from the past two years reveal that the Crows would have needed an average of 4.2 top-up players in 2013 and 1.6 players per game in 2012.

Adelaide also plans to have a past Crows player (aged 28 or over) to be part of the State League team in 2014.

Harper said Adelaide was committed to working with the SANFL and the Clubs, within their zones, to promote the pathways to league football and the AFL.

“We are proud of our contribution to South Australian football and we will continue to invest strongly in junior development in this State,” he said. “Next year we plan to lift it to new levels, in association with the SANFL clubs.”