World Footy News

The Flying Boomerangs depart Australia today for the third such tour of South Africa and their fifth international series overall. Twenty five Indigenous teenagers will spend two weeks in the country, conducting clinics, experiencing the culture and playing a match against each of the two South African primary development squads - the Inland and Coastal teams as discussed in Lions name elite training squads.

The youth Indigenous Australian squad is the same concept that travelled to South Africa in 2006 and 2008 and hosted a return visit from the South Africans in 2007. Each tour has seen three matches played and so far the Indigenous Aussies are undefeated against that country. However in 2009 when they toured Papua New Guinea the two matches were split. They'll again have their work cut out for them as the South Africans rapidly improve and contain both youth and experienced senior players, although the Inland/Coastal split will obviously reduce their strength. It should be a good test for all the teams involved and great practice for the new development structure being used by AFL South Africa. The Australian players’ selection follows their attendance at the Qantas AFL KickStart Camp in Melbourne last August.

The 2010 Flying Boomerangs squad will be joined by recently retired AFL players Michael O’Loughlin (Boomerangs coach), Chris Johnson (assistant coach) and Malcolm Lynch.

AFL Foundation CEO Jason Mifsud said the tour would benefit and promote both nations’ Indigenous programs and international development.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for these young men to develop on and off the field. The tour will also share with South Africa the AFL’s experience of utilising sport as a vehicle to generate lifestyle outcomes for Indigenous people and communities,” Mr Mifsud explained.

Details of the tour are:

Monday Jan 25

3pm-7pm Soweto Tour

Including Mandela’s House, Regina Mundi, Hector Pieterson Museum Interactive drumming session at Drum Cafe

Tuesday Jan 26

1.30pm FootyWILD clinic in Ikageng Township, Potchefstroom

3.30pm Joint training session with South African players, Ikageng Township, Potchefstroom

Wednesday Jan 27

2pm Game 1 Boomerangs v South Africa Inland, Mohadin Cricket Ground, Potchefstroom

Friday Jan 29

7.15am Michael O’Loughlin & Jason Mifsud to meet Desmond Tutu, St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town

Sunday Jan 31

2pm Game 2 Boomerangs v South Africa Coastal, Nyanga Rugby Stadium

Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean in attendance

Tuesday Feb 2

11am FootyWILD clinic, Mitchels Plain

11.45am Training with local players, Mitchels Plain

Wednesday Feb 3

10am Township school visits, Nyanga, Cape Town