World Footy News

The AFL is pleased to announce Andrew McLeod and Phil Narkle will coach the Flying Boomerangs and the Western Australia North-West teams respectively in the upcoming 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.

 

AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud said for the first time the two teams will play along with the World XVIII and South Pacific in an expanded division three section of the championships.

 

“This is another significant milestone in providing young Indigenous players the opportunity to compete in our talented player pathway under the leadership of experienced mentors,” he said.

 

Andrew McLeod said the Flying Boomerangs will be competitive.  “The Boomerangs have been selected from the best 150 Indigenous Under-15s in Australia. We are creating a pathway for young players; giving them the chance to travel and learn from former AFL players.

 

“To play in the championships against other representative teams will enhance their development and is a fantastic addition to the 12-month program,” McLeod said.

 

The Flying Boomerangs is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men that are 14-15 years of age. The squad was selected following the AFL KickStart Under-15 Championships which were held in April. Assistant coaches were also appointed following the championships.

 

Former St Kilda and West Coast Eagles player Phil Narkle will coach the WA North-West side. He said the WA North-West program was established earlier this year to provide opportunities for players in remote locations.

 

“Young players will now have the chance to be part of the WA State Talent Academy without relocating to Perth. It also provides an opportunity for the player to engage in a high performance program, which will assist them in their football pathway.  I’m looking forward to the challenge and passing on my knowledge and experience,” he said. 

 

Players from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions will represent the WA North-West team. The team is predominately Indigenous and was selected following a talent camp held in Broome in April.

 

The 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships will be played in Sydney from Saturday July 7 until Saturday July 14.

 

2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships fixture

 

Round One

Saturday July 7

Western Australia v South Australia at Blacktown, 12pm

Vic Country v Vic Metro at Blacktown 2.30pm

 

Sunday July 8

WA North West v South Pacific at Blacktown, 9.30am

Tasmania v Queensland at Blacktown, 12.15pm

NSW/ACT v Northern Territory at Blacktown, 2.40pm

World Team v Flying Boomerangs at Blacktown, 5.30am

 

Round Two

Tuesday July 10

Vic Country v South Australia at Blacktown, 11am

Western Australia v Vic Metro at Blacktown, 1.10pm

 

Wednesday July 11

Tasmania v NSW/ACT at Bruce Purser Reserve, 10am

Queensland v Northern Territory at Bruce Purser Reserve, 12pm

Flying Boomerangs v South Pacific at Blacktown, 4pm

World Team v WA North West at Blacktown, 6pm

 

Round Three

Friday July 13

Western Australia v Vic Country at Blacktown, 10am

Vic Metro v SA at Blacktown, 12.10pm

 

Saturday July 14

Northern Territory v Tasmania at Blacktown, 9.30am

WA North West v Flying Boomerangs at Blacktown, 9.30am

Queensland v NSW/ACT at Blacktown, 11.30am

South Pacific v World Team at Blacktown, 2pm