World Footy News

After having footy’s inclusion bandied around as part of the Pacific Games for the best part of a decade, a competition for the Oceania region is now truly a reality. However, it won’t be an inclusion as an extra sport at this stage in the Pacific Games but will be as a stand-alone Under 16 tournament in the new footy region of Fiji.

The tournament is set for the 12th and 13th December with invites extended to PNG, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, NZ, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. At this stage, PNG, Fiji, NZ, Tonga and Nauru have confirmed their participation, which is an excellent result.

Though the tournament is nominally at Under 16 level, there is an ability for the countries to play up to 6 older players if signed off by Championship Manager Andrew Cadzow. This appears a sensible modification when the tournament has dual aims - to have both ‘Participation’ and ‘Talent’ outcomes.

It is hoped that from this inaugural tournament an annual opportunity to showcase junior talent in the Pacific will result. It is anticipated that this will grow the game from the grassroots level as well as give talented players the opportunity to be seen and selected via higher representative squads, Academy positions (future) and International Scholarships, not discounting the AFL Drafts.

At the conclusion of the tournament an Oceania Squad will be selected to embark on a training program, and with a game schedule, which is yet to be confirmed.

Considering that AFL Fiji will be launched in October this year, the preparations including ground bookings, catering etc is well under way with AFL Fiji’s committee.

Related article on the AFL NZ website here.

PNG versus Nauru at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup