Tholstrup named in 2023 NAB AFL Academy

The AFL recently announced the 2023 NAB AFL Academy, featuring a collection of the most talented footballers across the country, including Subiaco’s very own, Koltyn Tholstrup.

The program will begin in December, enabling players to participate in high-performance and personal development programs throughout 2023 in the hopes of being selected in the 2023 AFL Draft.

Training camps in December, April and May will be followed by a match against a VFL side in May 2023.

Tholstrup just one of four Western Australians selected in the squad said to subiacofc.com.au the selection has left him “speechless” and praised the dedication and sacrifice of his parents.

2022 has been a monumental year for the Newtown-Condingup product, being selected in the 2022 Western Australia State 18’s as an underaged, playing at the MCG in the AFL Futures curtain raiser for the 2022 AFL Grand Final and a key part in Subiaco’s Colt's Team with 2023 looking to just as busy.

Regardless, Tholstrup maintains he’s “just looking forward to playing more footy." With the hope of playing senior football in 2023, Tholstrup will join the senior side for pre-season training. Tholstrup said “I’m looking forward to my first senior pre-season and just learning as much as possible from them. The challenge of being around bigger and faster bodies is something I’m excited by and hopefully, I can make that step”.

With a bright future ahead of him, Tholstrup credits his support network for his success thus far, saying “the sacrifice my family has made has been immense. All the driving from Esperance to allow me to play footy will put me forever indebted to them. Newtown Condy (Koltyn’s Community Club) and Cunderdin Ag (Koltyn’s School) have also supported me through everything and I’m so proud to represent them”.

Going forward Koltyn will attend the first NAB AFL Academy training camp in December, before moving to Perth to train with Subiaco full-time in January aiming for a League debut in Round 1 2023.