Ten AFLPA / Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship holders drafted
28 Nov 2005 - Jason Murnane
Receiving an AFLPA / Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship continues to offer recipients a great chance of being subsequently drafted by an AFL club with ten scholarship holders being drafted in this years AFL Draft.
The Mike Fitzpatrick scholarships aim to make financial considerations less of a concern for recipients and their family whilst the young player strives to achieve excellence in both the education and football fields.
The ten Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship holders to be drafted this year include;
Joshua Kennedy
Carlton
# 4
Beau Dowler
Hawthorn
# 6
Patrick Ryder
Essendon
# 7
Marcus Drum
Fremantle
# 10
Grant Birchall
Hawthorn
# 14
Travis Varcoe (pictured above right)
Geelong
# 15
Courtenay Dempsey
Essendon
# 19
Wayde Mills
Brisbane
# 25
Dylan Addison
Western Bulldogs
# 27
Samuel Lonergan
Essendon
# 50
Named in recognition of former Carlton Premiership Captain and successful businessman Mike Fitzpatrick, the scholarships provide valuable support to young players in their education and training whilst they pursue an AFL career.
The scholarships also reinforce the AFLPA's commitment to the education and training of all players.
Since the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarships inception, 29 players out of 45 scholarship holders (64%) have been drafted to an AFL club. This number may rise in 2006 when a number of scholarship holders become eligible for the draft.
Applications for a Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship are distributed throughout the State Leagues and during the Under 16 Championships each year. Application forms are also available via the AFLPA's website in early July. The 12 month scholarships are available Australian wide, however, an AFL Club or State League Club must nominate the applicant.
The Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship committee consists of Ken Fraser, chairman of the AFLPA Education & Training Board; Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager; Brendon Gale, AFLPA CEO; and Lisa Milling, AFLPA Manager, Education & Player Development.