North Melbourne has selected its young guns for this year’s Next Generation Academies (NGA) in Melbourne and Tasmania.

After more than 800 young footy players put their hand up at the club’s tryouts, the club has selected 290 future stars to take part in its NGA.

The club is working with AFL Tasmania to deliver the academy in the state, while Dynamic Footy Skills is helping North to develop players in Melbourne.

Those selected in the final squads have begun their work with the academies in Melbourne, while the Tasmanian academies will begin next week, with the programs aiming to develop a number of boys and girls into elite footballers.

North Women’s Football and Talent Pathways Manager Laura Kane said the club was thrilled with the interest in the NGAs.

“It was a really overwhelming response, and the talent on display was certainly amazing,” Kane told NMFC.com.au.

“While there will no doubt be some disappointment at those who missed out, the message to those boys and girls is to not be discouraged. We’ll hold tryouts again in the future and just because they missed out this year, doesn’t mean their chances are over.”

North’s Next Generation Academy, for boys and girls between the ages of 11 – 15 years old, will aim to ensure the game continues to attract and foster the development of players, regardless of background or location.