West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown has been volunteering his time to assist the development of a WAAFL Integrated Football academy this year.

Brown, who offered support to the inaugural West Australian AFL National Inclusion Carnival representative team last year, has been mentoring the State’s most talented disabled footballers at fortnightly training sessions alongside head coach Jamie Wynne.

The 27-year-old said he felt a real connection with the group after he led them on a tour of the West Coast Eagles’ facilities last year.

“I really enjoyed that and something struck a chord with me,” Brown said.

“They were really happy and their passion for football was something I really admired. This year I got in contact again and said I would help out any way I can.”

The burgeoning academy consists of more than 30 players selected from the seven WAAFL Integrated Football clubs based in WA.

Its aim is to develop the players to a point where they could become peer educators and help train and counsel teammates at their respective clubs.

“It’s about giving them the skills so they can go back and be leaders amongst their own teams and pass on the skills they learn at the academy,” Brown said.

WAAFL Integrated Football coordinator Greg Gilbee said he was thrilled to have Brown on board this year.

“It was a pleasant to change to have someone with a higher profile approach us,” Gilbee said.

“Mitch is just a fantastic fella. The guys have immediate respect for Mitch and what he brings to the group. They rate him highly and with his West Coast connection, whenever he is there the guys always tend to find an extra bit in the tank to push harder at training.”

Gilbee hoped Brown’s involvement might boost integrated football’s profile and garner more funding for the academy.