Playing the pure game

Papua New Guinea offers young people development opportunites.

The Mosquitoes have been one of Papua New Guinea’s most successful national teams. They have dominated the Arafura Games, going undefeated to win gold in 1995, 1997 and 1999.

The Mosquitoes lost to Ireland in the Grand Final of the 2002 International Cup, but aim to go one better this time. With a recent focus on junior development, they will be quick and skilful.

AFL PNG was established in 2001 to represent the AFL in Papua New Guinea. It has a seven-person board, 12 full-time staff and associated organisations across three regions.

AFL PNG is set up to pursue medium and long-term plans. Board members are appointed by the AFL and are responsible to all stakeholders. Financial transparency and accountability are key drivers of all activities.

AFL PNG is primarily responsible for looking after junior development programs, including our national player pathway, from villages to the MCG. AFL PNG works closely with the PNG Rules Football Council, which is responsible for senior players.

An obvious part of our plan is to foster young Papua New Guineans’ natural athletic ability and guide them along the pathway, giving elite players the opportunity to play Australian Football at the highest level.

The Oil Search pathway provides real opportunities for boys to go from village-based competition, all the way to the NAB AFL Draft. Our links with AFL Queensland have been vital in setting up this unique opportunity.

As a young, developing nation, social problems are a major issue. AFL PNG is committed to helping address these issues.

Major development programs include the Kellogg’s Pikinini Pilai Rules program for boys and girls aged 7-12 (based on AFL Auskick), and the PJV Raitman program for boys and now 12-18.

A key component of the PJV Raitman program is the inclusion of lifestyle rules, which emphasise to young people self-discipline, teamwork and the value of hard work.

Participants will be better equipped for success and more prepared to take advantage of opportunities as productive members of local communities.

Last year, our Under-14 and Under-16 national teams played in Mackay and Hervey Bay in the finals of the Queensland Country Championships.

Six of our boys were selected in representative teams, with one picked in the Queensland Under-16 squad.

At Under-18 level, five boys have benefited from our Oil Search pathway program, with the opportunity to play in the Queensland Country selection trials.

Four of those boys, including Alestar Sioni who did a full pre-season with the Brisbane Lions, stayed in Cairns. They are playing senior football with the City Cobras and working as AFL development officers in schools.

Desmond Kaumu was named the best and fairest Under-18 player in the AFL Cairns competition.

AFL PNG also recognises that Papua New Guineans have a natural freedom of spirit and that their diverse cultural and sporting experiences can bring a great deal to the rest of the world.

With that in mind, we have adopted a philosophy to ensure our children learn and play the game in its purest form: ‘Pure AFL – Purely Papua New Guinea’.