Excitement is building at Darling Range Sports College in Western Australia as the Telstra AFL Draft approaches. The anticipation centers around two of the school’s standout athletes, Tylah Williams and Koby Evans, who are on the cusp of joining the ranks of AFL players. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the college, recognized as Western Australia’s first specialist sports institution.
“The year sevens, eights, and nines all look up to Koby and know where he’s headed as one of our year 12s, and Tylah finished school last year but we’re all really excited for him too,” said Brad Smith, a former West Coast player and recruiter, now a teacher at Darling Range. “Everyone is really keen to see them take the next step.”
Building a Legacy in Sports Education
Darling Range’s potential success at the AFL Draft is just the beginning of what the college has been achieving with its nine high-performance sports programs. These programs span a variety of sports, including AFL, athletics, baseball, basketball, netball, NRL, soccer, swimming, and triathlon. The college’s comprehensive approach to sports education is designed to cater to a wide range of students, not just those with professional aspirations.
Smith, who was drafted as a mature-ager for the Eagles in 2004 after a stellar WAFL career, has brought his extensive experience to the college. Despite suffering knee injuries that prevented his AFL debut, Smith transitioned into a successful recruiting role with West Coast before joining Darling Range. Here, he works alongside Darren Rumble, a six-time WAFL premiership player, who coordinates the school’s football program.
Comprehensive Training and Development
With over 170 students participating in the football programs, including around 30 female players, the college emphasizes both athletic and academic development. “We don’t only cater for the very few who might make the AFL but we also have to cater for the 98, 99 percent who aren’t going to go on and play AFL and will play community footy or a lot might go to the state league competition over here,” Smith explained.
The college boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including pool and ice bath facilities, a weights room, and offers students up to four sessions a week focusing on technical skills, rehabilitation, sports science, nutrition, and sports psychology. “They have to comply with all of the requirements in class for them to attend any games or school carnivals or special events, so there’s a heavy focus on behavior and getting through any academic program they’re working through,” Smith added.
Expert Guidance and Mentorship
Smith has leveraged his connections with the Eagles to bring in special guests who provide invaluable insights to the students. Visits from former teammate Ben Cousins, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, former West Coast coach John Worsfold, and Australian cricket legend Justin Langer have enriched the students’ learning experiences.
“Koby has been here from year seven and he’s a special character, he’s very well-liked and has an infectious personality. We’ve worked with him to make sure he’s a well-rounded young man and by year 12 he can transition into life with a lot of skills and we’re very proud he’s nearly at the end of year 12,” Smith said.
The Road to the Draft
Both Williams and Evans are tied to West Coast through its Next Generation Academy as Indigenous prospects. Smith’s experience in scouting has been instrumental in preparing the pair for the draft. “We’ve done some mock interviews with them both so we’ve practiced those answers. Because I know a lot of the recruiters, I can say ‘He’s a good guy, that’ll be a conversation’ or ‘They’ll do it this way’. We spoke about what Draft Combine would be like as well,” Smith noted.
Williams, who starred at the Combine with his testing results (second in the 20-meter sprint and fourth in the agility test), said Darling Range had helped set him up for his draft shot.
“The main reason I moved to Perth was for my football. When I first went in, it took a while to get used to how everything was there,” Williams said. “But I did that try-out and as I was warming up Brad more or less said I’d be getting in the team. We built a relationship through football but also just making sure I was going to class and getting things done and since I graduated we’ve still been in contact.”
As the AFL Draft night approaches, the excitement at Darling Range Sports College is palpable. The potential success of Williams and Evans is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the college’s commitment to nurturing young talent and preparing them for future challenges, both on and off the field.
