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AFLPNG Camp to select 9 Scholarship Holders to QLD

  • Friday, December 14 2007 @ 04:13 pm ACDT
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Oceania

The best one hundred and ten young AFL players in PNG have recently attended the National Institute of Sport in Goroka (30th Nov – 2nd Dec). There they were tested and assessed through a range of activities including games, skill and physical testing, mental challenges and lectures on the requirements to play AFL at the highest level.

Selection from the National Championships, held in Lae in September, has now seen the best 35 boys in Under 14, 16 and 18 vying for spots at the NIS to go to Australia in 2008 as part of AFLPNG’s National Talent Player Pathway.

Former St Kilda AFL player Mark Kennedy, Qld Talent Manager Luke Curran, Qld State player and Coolangatta Legend Grant McKenzie will assist the key AFLPNG personnel, CEO Andrew Cadzow and National Operations Manager Peter Cates.

Five 18/19 year old Scholarship players will be hosted by Coolangatta in the very competitive Qld State League, 4 Under 17 boys will be based on the Sunshine Coast and play with the Brisbane Lions Reserves, The Binatang Under 14 and Under 16 squads (30 per squad) will be selected as will coaching and support staff.

In a quick summary from Andrew Cadzow about PNG, and how it has achieved this massive growth in AFL numbers through creating the excitement of attendees at the AIS/AFL Draft Camp as well as for the second year in succession scholarship players, in numbers, in Queensland, here are some key points:-

  • PNG is the largest and strongest Australian Rules playing nation outside of Australia. Population is 6,000,000+, Australian Rules participation 40,000+
  • Under 14s and under 16s have direct entry into AFL Qld Championships and Talent Pathway
  • Under 18s have direct entry into AFL Qld Talent Pathway
  • 15 (approx.) scholarships to Australia yearly, mainly based in southern Queensland but also some in Cairns (Ages 16 – 23)
  • 2006 Under 16 Queensland State Squad Member (Stannis Susuve)
  • Regular Queensland State League and Lions Reserves participation
  • City, Regional and National Championships held annually in PNG in the following age groups- 13, 15 and 17
  • National Talent Camp held annually (the 100 best youth players in PNG)

    Cadzow finished by stating "Over the next 12 months (and for the long term future) there are programmes in place that will give AFLPNG a concentrated drive into the Australian market and hopefully into the AFL whether drafted, rookied or the International Scholarship Scheme".

    That certainly appears to be a model for other international countries to ponder in assessing how to provide a pathway for their juniors.