World Footy News

As discussed in Oceania - NSW to mimic PNG - Queensland success, AFL PNG has set up pathways through the QLD State Football Championships to develop their players. This has been successful with a significant number of players being AFL listed already, and NZ and other Pacific nations will now have their chance through the NSW State (Zone) Championships.

From a New Zealand point of view it is a brilliant opportunity for NZ footy, and the boys themselves, five of the New Zealand Hawks Under 16 players have been selected to participate for Oceania in the New South Wales Zone Championships. These will be held in Sydney from April 16th to April 22nd 2011.

The players selected also have the opportunity to represent NSW in the Australian Under 16 Championships in Sydney in July 2011. Those who progress through to the NSW team are likely to come up against a selection of New Zealand players who will play for the South Pacific Under 18 team, also competing in the Australian Champs. This doubles the chance for Hawthorn listed player Kurt Heatherly of being at this event.

The selected NZ players for the Oceania team at the NSW Zone champs include are (age in brackets):- Denzel Panapa (15), Dayne Emms (16), Jaydn White (15), Kurt Heatherley (16) and Ash Wear (15).

Those selected to participate in the South Pacific Under 18 team in the Australian Under 16 Champs include:- Shem Tatupu (15), Kurt Heatherley (15), Rhys Panui Leth (16), Charlton Brown (16), Sami Tuitopou (17), Brandon Sucu (17) and Benjamin Fisher (16). Shem and Rhys are pictured at left.

For more see Junior Hawks descend on NSW Champs.