Subiaco Colts in action for the National Indigenous Academy

The Subiaco Football Club will have plenty of presence at the AFL’s National Indigenous Academy in Adelaide this week. The program recognises the talent and leadership qualities of players around the country aged between 16 and 18, with a select few (the top 30 indigenous players) invited to learn, train, and play for the National Indigenous team. 

Colts products Toré Nelson and Caylon Seelander will take part, representing the Subiaco Football Club, while Lance Collard has also been named.

Nelson said it’s an opportunity to reflect on his culture.

“What it means to me is that I can be proud of who I am as an Aboriginal person,” he said.

“It feels like a big achievement, that I’ve been noticed for my leadership along the way.”

Seelander agreed, saying it will be an opportunity to learn.

“I’m excited to meet the other boys who are doing footy,” he said.

“I’m keen to see their skills and see where they come from.”

Several training sessions will take place for the event, as well as sessions for the players to learn more about their culture, culminating in a match against the Multicultural team, as part of the AFL’s Diversity Academies..

Nelson said it’s special being a part of Aboriginal culture.

“It’s the longest-living culture in the world,” he said.

“It’s amazing to think about.

“It’s full of special people and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

For Seelander, a Noongar-Yamatji man, he said he is proud to be Aboriginal. The 16-year-old grew up in Laverton, north of Kalgoorlie and played his football for Boulder before moving to Perth for school. The backman plays for Aquinas in the PSA system, and has started the WAFL season with 2 Futures games before returning to Colts level for a preseason game leading into the WAFL Colts season. 

He said it’s been a level above since returning from an ankle injury.

“It was a big step up, the week before I was playing Futures for some match fitness,” Seelander said.

“It was a lot, but I jumped in and had a run so it was good.”

Meanwhile, Nelson is a Wanneroo Junior Football Club product, and is looking to break into Subiaco’s Colts side in 2023.

He said the Subiaco Football Club has helped his development.
“Playing Futures games last year, we’d always have match reviews so I knew what to work on,” Nelson said.

“I put my head down this past year and feel like I’ve improved at the things I needed to work on.”

The National Indigenous Academy is in Adelaide until Wednesday, April 5.