World Footy News

worldfootynews.com have recently had the privilege of catching up with Andrew Cadzow, general manager of AFL Oceania.

For those wondering what is happening in the Zone that comes under his influence, we took a look at his diary for the next six months, including a match between an AFL Queensland club and the PNG Mosquitoes, an under 16s Pacific Cup, the official launch of AFL Fiji, and numerous further goings-on in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

SEPTEMBER 21st-23rd 2009:

AFLPNG National Championships are again being held in Lae. There will be16 interleague squads. These will consist of Under 17’s, Under 15’s, Under 13’s Boys and Under 15’s Girls.

OCTOBER 11TH – 17TH 2009:

AFL Fiji Launch, surely a momentous occasion given the ethnicity of current AFL players David Rodan, Alipate Carlile and the prodigiously talented Nic Naitanui. This will take place in the capital city of Suva with an Auskick clinic and a School Carnival.

OCTOBER 24TH 2009:

AFLPNG Talent Search. AFL Queensland side Coolangatta, a regular host of PNG talent, will travel to take on the PNG Mosquitoes in Port Moresby.

OCTOBER 24TH-26TH 2009:

Over the Labour Day Long Weekend the NZ Leagues will gather in Auckland to contest the National Senior Championships with 4 Senior Squads competing and the NZ Under 20’s –v- Vic Amateur 18’s in 2 matches.

DECEMBER 4TH-6TH 2009:

AFLPNG Talent Camp will be held in Goroka with 120 Under 17’s, 15’s, 13’s present.

DECEMBER 12TH-13TH 2009:

Oceania Youth Cup will be held in Suva, Fiji. 4-6 Countries at Under 16’s level are hoped to attend.

FEBRUARY 2010

PNG Scholarships/Under 18 Trials will be held in Australia. 8 x U18s are hoped to be provided with Country Queensland, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Scholarships.

MARCH 13TH-14TH 2010:

NZ Under 20’s Nationals will be held in Wellington, NZ. 3 Squads + Under 16 NZ Squad will compete.

MARCH – JULY 2010 (TBC):

Under 18, 16, 14 AFLQ Championships will be held in Qld and, as was the case this year, 3 PNG Squads are expected to compete.

It is fantastic to see the AFL supporting junior development throughout the Oceania region and the resulting planning and professionalism that is becoming apparent within the nations included. Keep up the great work Cadz!