World Footy News

Papua New Guinea is the reigning International Cup champions and also the reigning Oceania Under 16s champions. And as reported recently, senior footy in Port Moresby has been undergoing a restructure in readiness to cope with the large numbers of juniors playing footy in PNG. There’s a lot going on in PNG.

In early March a Mosquitos camp was held in Lae and a week later as part of the Australia Week celebrations, a game was held in POM (Port Moresby) between the PNG Mosquitoes and the Australian Bolters (which included some Australian Scholarship players). The Mosquitos won 10.5.(65) to 9.5.(59) with a late goal to AFL PNG manager Walter Yangomina. This match effectively launched the 2011 AFL PNG season. It was also the return to Amini Park in Port Moresby after almost 2 years without AFL action. This Bolters also included some special guests, with former AFL Saint Aussie Jones playing well and former NRL star Mat Rogers playing his first game of 'AFL'.

There was also an curtain raiser match in which the old guys stretched their legs in a Legends vs Champions clash. Participants included the Australian High Commissioner in PNG, Sir Ian Kemmish.

Out of these events the PNG extended squad for the 2011 AFL International Cup title defence was announced. Selection committee comprised of AFL Asia / Pacific Manager Andrew Cadzow, PNG Coach David Lake and AFLPNG Manager Walter Yangomina.

2011 PNG MOSQUITOES

#	Name	Province
1.	Stanis Susuve	Gulf
2.	Henry Henry	East New Britain
3.	Emmanual Topia	West New Britain
4.	Amua Pirika	Central
5.	John Vogo	West New Britain
6.	Wingti Pena	Western Highlands
7.	Leslie Orak	Western Highlands
8.	Jimmy Logha	West New Britain
9.	Alistair Sioni	West New Britain
10.	Willy Aisi	Central
11.	John James	Gulf
12.	Niki Apamumu	West New Britain
13.	Greg Aki	Western Highlands
14.	Laurie Logo	West New Britain
15.	Collins Slim	Oro
16.	Emmaus Wartovo	East New Britain
17.	Ali Pinda	Eastern Highlands
18.	Larry Nao	Gulf
19.	John Ikupu	Eastern Highlands
20.	Peter Milaure	Gulf
21.	Gagu Kayage	Western Province
22.	Charlie Arua	Central
23.	John Vincent	Gulf
24.	David Evertius	Central
25.	Seanan Carbry	Central
26.	Kingston Pisep	Sepik
27.	Jeffrey Nemete	West New Britain
28.	Mal Avia	Gulf
29.	Tiernan Carbry	Central
30.	Kenneth Buka	West New Britain
31.	Boaz Keu	West New Britain
32.	Freddy Peni	New Ireland
33.	Naime Gordon	Central
34.	Bruce Savare	West New Britain
35.	Paul Phillip	Simbu
36.	Alois Melua	West New Britain

Provisional squad members (South Pacific Commitments)

37.	Gilmore Lawrence	Morobe
38.	Joses Lawrence	Morobe
39.	Gideon Simon	Western Highlands
40.	Theo Gavuri	West New Britain
41.	Richard Stegman	Western Highlands

 

There are some names that should ring a bell with WFN reader amongst the group, including Stanis Susuve, Amua Pirika and John James.

Yangomina states “There is a lot of talent in this year’s Mosquitoes squad, we have a core of experienced players from 2008, like Bruce Savara, Joe Ila and Nick Apamumu , that can guide the younger guys. The Coca Cola Talent Pathway, The AFLPNG Academy and the Australian Scholarship system has unearthed big numbers of quality senior players”.

The ‘Provisional’ squad members are 5 younger boys who have South Pacific duties as part of the National Under 16 Championships in Australia, who will have the opportunity to represent PNG at the International Cup.

“These 16-17 year olds are good enough to play senior football, so we are hopeful that they will be ready and available for the international cup”. Yangomina said. Injury, form and availability will dictate final selection. All players are to liase with Walter Yangomina over the next month. The extended squad of 41 will be cut down to the final 28 players by May 15th.

IN other PNG news, the AFLPNG also announced in March that a PNG women’s team will be taking part in the inaugural Women’s International Cup beginning August 15 in Sydney and then Melbourne.

AFL PNG reporting that female football has developed considerably in PNG over recent years with talented girls selected to travel to Cairns every year to compete in the Under 16 Queensland State Championships.

Yangomina said “This is great news for football in PNG. We have always boasted that our girls are the best in the world, now we will be put to the test. Girls football has made a lot of ground in PNG and this creates a great opportunity for us to reward hard work and give these girls the same experience that the Mosquitoes have had”.

AFL PNG has also put the call out for donated items for the AFL PNG academy. Recently established, in it’s 2nd year there are 25 kids involved in the program. Items sought include :

• Computers
• Couches
• Curtains
• Weights – Exercise Equipment
• Books
• DVDs & DVD Player
• Gaming Consoles (X-Box / Playstation)
• Television

Anyone willing to donate any items can feel free to contact the AFLPNG Office. Ph: (+675) 3412623 Email: admin@afl-png.com

Looking ahead, AFP PNG is sending players to the U/16 Australian State Championships in Brisbane across April 26 to May 4.

In June will be the Regional Championships:
Highlands - Mt.Hagen (4th & 5th);
Southern – Port Moresby (4th & 5th);
Northern – Lae (11th & 12th);
Islands – Kimbe (18th & 19th).
Followed then by the Qld U/14 State Championships (27th-2nd July)

This article is sourced from AFL PNG media releases.

Mat Rogers

Ian Kemmish

PNG Womens Footy