Chad Wingard appointed AFL’s first National Next Generation Academies Manager

Jackson Clark Published February 3, 2026 at 5.00pm (AWST)

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Chad Wingard has been appointed to a newly-created national role overseeing the AFL's NGA programs. Image: AFL.

Former AFL star Chad Wingard has been appointed to a newly created national role overseeing the AFL's Next Generation Academy program.

The appointment comes as the league moves to strengthen pathways for Indigenous and multicultural talent through increased investment.

The proud Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri man becomes the AFL's first National Next Generation Academy Manager, a position born out of a comprehensive league-wide review of the NGA system conducted across 2024 and 2025.

The findings of that review were delivered late last year and formally endorsed at commission level.

A key outcome of the review has been a significant increase in AFL funding, particularly in the girls' NGA space.

From 2026, clubs will receive an increased allocation of $120,000 per club, up from $75,000, to support the development of up-and-coming female footballers.

The investment boost will hopefully assist in ensuring that clubs have the resources to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Alongside the funding increase, the AFL has introduced a suite of changes aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the NGA system.

*Chad Wingard during his playing days for Hawthorn. (Image: AFL)*

These include clearer minimum standards clubs must meet to qualify for draft concessions, earlier submission timelines for player nominations, expanded uses of Category B rookie list spots, and the formal introduction of AFLW NGA draft concessions for the 2026 season.

Wingard retired from the AFL at the conclusion of the 2024 season after a decorated 218-game career with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Since stepping away from the field, the 32-year-old has transitioned into a variety of off-field roles, including media work with the AFL.

He has also previously worked within the AFL's inclusion team as an Indigenous and social policy officer.

In his new position, he will work closely with clubs on NGA nominations and eligibility criteria, while also sitting on the AFL's NGA committee.

That committee will also include senior football administrators such as AFL football boss Greg Swann and head of game development Rob Auld.

The Next Generation Academy programs were originally introduced to increase access to Australian football for Indigenous and multicultural communities, and the AFL remains firm in its view that the program plays a vital role in lifting participation and diversifying the talent pool.

While a record 87 Indigenous players were on AFL club lists in 2020, that figure has steadily declined in each season since.

In 2025, there were just 62 AFL players on AFL lists who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.