With the recruiting season in full swing, it's the perfect time to get the latest update from the James Hird Academy.

Established by the Essendon Football Club in 2010, the James Hird Academy is a junior development program that aims to identify, attract and nurture young players from non-traditional AFL regions, international zones and potential father/son draft avenues.

In the latest newsletter you'll read about the progress of our potential father-son and Next Generation Academy prospects as well as learn what it's like to be a recruiter from former player turned talent specialist Rob Forster-Knight.

You can read the latest edition of the JHA Newsletter here.