A Springfield Lakes rising star, Aiyana Pritchard, has cemented her status as one of Australia’s most promising young athletes by earning selection into the prestigious national academy that will see her train at a world-class facility in New Zealand.
Elite Selection
Aiyana Pritchard, known to her teammates as ‘Narni’, was officially named as part of the 2026 Marsh AFL National Academy. This program identifies the top 50 footballers across the country who are approaching their draft year. The intake includes 25 girls and 25 boys born in 2008, positioning them as top prospects for the 2026 Telstra AFLW and AFL Drafts.
The program kicks off in December. Aiyana will travel to Wellington for a high-performance camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport. This facility is the training ground for major teams like the All Blacks and the Wellington Phoenix. This trip marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the AFL National Academy Girls program has travelled overseas for training since 2018. The girls’ camp runs from December 17 to December 21.
A Talent on the Rise
Aiyana has built a reputation for her agility and versatility as a tall forward and midfielder. Her unique playing style is often credited to her background in rugby. She currently plays for the Brisbane Lions Academy and the University of Queensland team. Additionally, she attends St Peters Lutheran College, where the school community has celebrated her national selection.
Her track record on the field is impressive. While playing for the Sherwood Football Club, also known as the Magpies, she was a key part of the Under 17 Division 1 Premiership team. In a display of her advanced skill level, she won the Division 1 League Best and Fairest award while she was still young enough to play Under 15 football. More recently, she gained selection in the Queensland Under 18 team after shining in the Brisbane Lions Academy program.
Returning to the Nest
The Sherwood Football Club recently confirmed that Aiyana will return to play for the Magpies in the 2026 season. The club expressed their excitement to have her back at her junior club whenever she is not busy with her extensive representative duties.
AFL National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer noted that the program aims to provide these up-and-coming stars with experiences that go beyond what they receive in their state programs. He added that the camp in New Zealand offers a unique opportunity for the players to challenge themselves in an elite international environment.
Future Opportunities
Beyond the trip to New Zealand, the academy schedule includes high-performance camps in Melbourne during April and June of 2026. These camps will feature showcase matches where the academy squad will compete as the Australia Under 18 team. Players will also get the chance to train directly with AFL and AFLW clubs to prepare for the next step in their football careers.
Published Date 05-December-2025
