There is an air of excitement at Darling Range Sports College as the Telstra AFL Draft approaches. Two of their own, Tylah Williams and Koby Evans, are on the cusp of becoming AFL players, marking a significant achievement for Western Australia’s first specialist sport college.
Brad Smith, a former West Coast player and current teacher at Darling Range, expressed the school’s enthusiasm. “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,” Smith said. “Everyone is really keen to see them take the next step.”
Building a Legacy in Sports Education
Darling Range’s potential AFL success is just the beginning of the college’s efforts, which include nine high-performance sports programs in AFL, athletics, baseball, basketball, netball, NRL, soccer, swimming, and triathlon. The college aims to nurture talent at various levels, ensuring students have opportunities to excel both athletically and academically.
Smith, who was drafted by the Eagles in 2004, brings a wealth of experience to the school. Despite knee injuries curtailing his playing career, he spent over a decade in the West Coast’s recruiting department before joining Darling Range. Here, he works alongside Darren Rumble, a six-time WAFL premiership player and AFL coordinator, to develop the football program.
A Comprehensive Approach to Athlete Development
With over 170 students in the football programs, including about 30 female players, Darling Range is committed to providing a holistic sports education. “We don’t only cater for the very few who might make the AFL,” Smith explained. “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 might go to the state league competition over here.”
The college boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including pools, ice baths, and a weights room. Students participate in up to four sessions a week covering 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 academics,” Smith added.
Guidance from Sporting Legends
Smith has leveraged his connections to bring in notable sports figures for mentorship. Former teammate Ben Cousins, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, ex-West Coast coach John Worsfold, and Australian cricket legend Justin Langer have all shared their insights with students at Darling Range.
“Koby has been here from year seven and he’s a special character,” Smith said. “He’s very well-liked and has an infectious personality. We’ve worked with him to ensure he’s a well-rounded young man, and we’re very proud he’s nearly at the end of year 12.”
Tylah Williams’ journey to Darling Range began when he moved from Tambellup to pursue his football dreams. “I did that try-out and as I was warming up, Brad more or less said I’d be getting in the team,” Williams recalled. “We built a relationship through football but also just making sure I was going to class and getting things done.”
The Path to the AFL Draft
Both Williams and Evans are part of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy as Indigenous prospects. Smith’s experience with scouting has been instrumental in preparing them for the draft. “We’ve done some mock interviews with them both,” Smith noted. “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.”
“Williams, who starred at the Combine with his testing results—second in the 20-metre sprint and fourth in the agility test—said Darling Range had helped set him up for his draft shot.”
The excitement surrounding Williams and Evans is palpable, not just within the school but also in the broader community. As the draft night approaches, Darling Range Sports College stands as a testament to the power of dedicated sports education and the potential it unlocks for young athletes.
