World Footy News

The AFL Papua New Guinea, who oversee PNG’s junior programmes, and the AFLPNG Rules Council, who oversee the senior competitions, have announced their representative weekends for September. From these competitions the national squads will be formed to take part in the Queensland State Championships 2008 at junior level and for the International Cup 2008 at senior level.

The AFL National Junior Championships will be held at the Igam Barracks in Lae over the period 24 – 28 September 2007. Igam Barracks will provide the required security for the young AFL players and also gives AFLPNG the ability to use two fields at the same time situated alongside each other which makes running such an extensive competition such as this both more manageable and affordable.

Peter Cates, National Operations Manager had this to say: "Regions will compete against each other in Under 13, 15 and 17 boys and under 15 Girls. The increase in popularity of AFL in schools, and growth of the game across PNG will ensure that all division will be highly competitive."

With the Queensland State Championships in 2008 as the aim this tournament will allow both the Binatangs (Boys’ Squads) and Kurakum (Girls’ Squad) to be selected. Once AFL PNG staff have selected their squads they will then go on to attend a Development Camp held in Goroka during early December as the next step in preparation

The President of AFL PNG Rules Council, Peter Michael (Essendon player Mal’s father) has advised that the 2007 SP National Senior Championships will be held in Lae, Morobe Province from 15 to 17 September during the PNG Independence long weekend.

Six regional representative teams will compete - 2 each from Lae and the National Capital District (Port Moresby), 1 each from Mt Hagen and West New Britain - for the total K3,500.00 prizemoney offered, compliments of Major Sponsor SP Brewery. The split up is K2,000.00 for Winner, K1,000.00 runner up and K500.00 for third.

The Grand Final will be at 2.00 PM on the Monday 17 September, 2007 and PNG AFL Star Mal Michael will be in attendance to present trophies and prizemoney to winning teams.

After the Championships a train-on squad will be selected for the PNG Mosquitoes Team to participate at the AFL International Cup to be held in Melbourne, Australia in August, 2008. The Mosquitoes Squad will comprise players with good skills and speed and a mix of youth and experience. A number of quality PNG players are based in Australia playing on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns. The performance of these players is being monitored and those playing well in Senior Football will also be considered for inclusion in the Mosquitoes squad.