World Footy News

So much continues to happen in PNG, with this article focusing on Junior Footy in Port Moresby, AFL International Manager Tony Woods' recent visit and the interest of the Gold Coast Suns in PNG footy.

Southern Region Junior Finals

Finals football has kicked off for the junior competition at U13, U15 and U17 level in the nation’s capital. Over the next few weeks the best teams throughout the year will clash at Murray Barracks oval for their chance to compete in the 2010 POM Junior Grand Finals.

This will lead into the 2010 AFLPNG NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, 28TH – 30TH September 2010 at IGAM Barracks, Lae. The 2010 National Championships will see the Southern Sharks, Highland Raiders, Island Stingrays and the Northern Thunder compete in Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Boys and the Under 15 Girls.

AFL International Manager Tony Woods’ Visit to PNG

The first AFL International development manager, Anthony Woods visited PNG to view and discuss the development made by AFLPNG. He was accompanied by Andrew Cadzow, AFL Asia/Pacific Development Manager.

Playing 174 AFL games for three Victorian clubs including Fitzroy, Collingwood and Hawthorn, Woods made a name for himself as a midfielder. An injury ended his playing career in 2002 at Hawthorn, before he began work on the 17th AFL club, the recently named Gold Coast Suns, in a development role.

He attended the Junior and Senior competitions in Moresby, checked out the progress and facilities of the AFL Academy at De La Selle, ran a training session in Bomana and was most impressed with what he saw.

GC17 Extends Invitation to AFLPNG

The newest AFL franchise, the Gold Coast Suns, extended an invitation for AFLPNG to head to Queensland and gain a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into the 17th AFL Club.

Gold Coast CEO Travis Auld extended the invitation to improve the relationship between GC and AFLPNG. AFLPNG Manager Walter Yangomina recently returned from the Gold Coast where he was given a run down on the newest AFL Club.

“GC’s coach Guy McKenna is keen to tap into PNG and see what talent we have on offer. Stanis Susuve from the Gulf Province has been on the Suns list for two years and is doing really well. So hopefully his experience can influence a lot of PNG Juniors” said Yangomina

Mr.Yangomina is hopeful that with the expansion of the AFL and with the increasing number of PNG kids travelling to Australia to play football, a greater number playing AFL at the highest level is within reach. “The GC Suns could open many doors for AFLPNG, they have a philosophy to build a great club and with the AFL’s international push, the GC and AFLPNG are on course to unearth and create opportunities for many kids”.

Yangomina continued to explain the AFL’s intention to open up a 2nd tier Northern AFL competition that will see a combination of AFL Queensland and AFL NSW.

“The combining of AFL Queensland and NSW teams now creates more of an opportunity for our kids to push through the system in Australia”.

AFLPNG already has a Coca-Cola National Talent Pathway program that allows kids every opportunity to develop their game. The development program follows kids from a grassroots level, to the AFL Academy in Bomana and hopefully to a football contract in Australia.

The GC senior management was briefed by Walter Yangomina on AFLPNGs progress and their intentions of pushing talent through the AFL system. The connection between AFLPNG and the GC Suns was initiated with AFLPNG Chairman Scott Reid being the secretary in the original Gold Coast Team Bid. This relationship is hopefully the first of many between AFLPNG and the Suns.

Mr. Yangomina was grateful for the opportunity to mingle with GC management and players, including former NRL Superstar Karmichael Hunt, now an AFL Footballer.

“Getting a glimpse at the new stadium on the Gold Coast was amazing, it was a great opportunity to distinguish the relationship between the Suns and AFLPNG”.