Adelaide Crows Expand Academies with New School Holiday Programs

The Adelaide Football Club has announced the launch of two new school holiday programs, Launch and Elevate, designed to bolster the club’s grassroots engagement and talent identification through its Crows Academies.

Set to debut during the upcoming Easter break in April 2026, the clinics will be hosted at the club’s high-performance headquarters in West Lakes. By introducing distinct programs for different age groups and skill levels, the club aims to build long-term brand loyalty while identifying the next generation of South Australian football talent.

Tiered Development Structure

The new programs are categorised to serve two distinct demographics within the club’s fan base:

• Launch (Ages 5–11): Focused on entry-level engagement, this program emphasises fun and confidence-building. Led by current Crows players, the clinic will run on Tuesday, 14 April, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. It serves as a primary touchpoint for young families and “budding footballers” starting their journey with the club.
• Elevate (Under-12s): A high-performance, skill-based program for boys and girls already registered in club-level competitions. This intensive clinic will be held on Wednesday, 22 April, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Unlike the introductory Launch program, Elevate is delivered by AFL coaches and club specialists, offering a more professionalized training environment.

Commercial and Strategic Impact

From a commercial perspective, the Crows Academies function as both a revenue stream and a critical community pillar. By utilising West Lakes, a facility synonymous with the club’s history, Adelaide is able to offer an “inner sanctum” experience that justifies premium registration fees.

The requirement for Elevate participants to be registered with local clubs ensures that the Crows are supporting the wider South Australian football ecosystem while simultaneously scouting for the state’s most promising Under-12 athletes.

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