Operating out of Sydney the Academy officially started in 2011 to provide an improved development pathway for young players within 10 regional centres spread across NSW and the ACT and aims to identify, nurture and develop elite athletes in their pursuit of playing AFL at the highest level.

James Metzeling said that his son Cayden started to play in the GWS Academy Pathways Program in March and travels weekly to the GWS training in Orange.

Cayden was playing in the Orange Tigers Under 12's AFL squad when he got selected to take part in the development program.

He has been playing AFL since he was six years old, James said, starting off playing in Auskick in Queensland and then continuing into junior competition.

After playing for four seasons in Queensland, they moved to Forbes, and Cayden began playing for the Tigers.

Cayden said he has enjoyed playing football down here since moving from Brisbane, though he admits it's a lot colder playing and had a memorable time playing his first game in snow last year.

"In Brisbane it doesn't usually get below 20 degrees and you have to put sunscreen on before every game. Here I'm wearing skins to keep me warm."

Cayden said he looks forward to continuing to develop as a footballer in all aspects of the game, including ball skills, tactics and all other elements that go into making a professional footballer.

"My favourite sports of Aussie Rules and cricket are made so much better by playing with mates and having fun. When the game finishes on a weekend I'm already looking forward to the next game," Cayden said

Cayden plays in the Orange/Central West Under 12s development squad and has been training once a week honing his skills. Among the skills they develop include fitness, game and tactical awareness skills and goal setting. Along with this the program also teaches the players about good nutrition, how to manage their own wellbeing and the psychology of sport.

The program continues through the age groups as they get older and can provide players a developmental pathway into the AFL.

Along with training weekly in Orange, Cayden and the Under 12's squad travelled down to Sydney in April to take part in a tournament with other GWS development squads. They were set to take part in another round robin tournament over the last school holidays, however this was cancelled due to the current lockdowns in effect across Sydney.

Cayden will continue to play in the academy until the end of this season before breaking for summer sports and is hoping to be involved in the program again next football season.