World Footy News

The World XVIII and South Pacific teams have arrived in Sydney over the past few days and completed training sessions and warm up matches.   The 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships will commence in Sydney tomorrow, Saturday, July 7.

The seven-day carnival has been expanded to 12 teams with the inclusion of the AFL’s Indigenous Youth side, the Flying Boomerangs, and the Western Australia North-West team.

 

AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said more players have the chance to participate in the championships.

“In 2012 players from throughout Australia and the world will be in Sydney to compete.

“The introduction of the WA North-West team is a great initiative that will give players in remote communities the chance to train and play together, improve their skills and give them every opportunity to pursue their football careers.

“Our international teams, the World XVIII and South Pacific, both registered wins last year proving they have the talent to pursue our game to the highest level,” he said.

The South Pacific team includes players from Tonga, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The World XVIII is comprised of players from multicultural backgrounds living in Australia and nine overseas-based players. Sudan, USA, Denmark, India, South Africa and Indonesia are some of nations represented.

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.

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.

Four former AFL players are coaching:

NSW/ACT Tadgh Kennelly

World XVIII Xavier Clarke

WA North West Phil Narkle

Flying Boomerangs Andrew McLeod

2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships fixture

Round One

Saturday July 7

12pm Western Australia v South Australia Blacktown International Sportspark

2.30pm Vic Country v Vic Metro Blacktown International Sportspark

Sunday July 8

9.30am WA North-West v South Pacific Blacktown International Sportspark

12.15pm Tasmania v Queensland Blacktown International Sportspark

2.40pm NSW/ACT v Northern Territory Blacktown International Sportspark

5.30pm World XVIII v Flying Boomerangs Blacktown International Sportspark

Round Two

Tuesday July 10

11am Vic Country v South Australia Blacktown International Sportspark

1.10pm Western Australia v Vic Metro Blacktown International Sportspark

Wednesday July 11

10am Tasmania v NSW/ACT Bruce Purser Reserve

12pm Queensland v Northern Territory Bruce Purser Reserve

4pm Flying Boomerangs v South Pacific Blacktown International Sportspark

6pm World XVIII v WA North-West Blacktown International Sportspark

Round Three

Friday July 13

10am Western Australia v Vic Country Blacktown International Sportspark

12.10pm Vic Metro v South Australia Blacktown International Sportspark

Saturday July 14

9.30am Northern Territory v Tasmania Blacktown International Sportspark

9.30am WA North-West v Flying Boomerangs Blacktown International Sportspark

11.30am Queensland v NSW/ACT Blacktown International Sportspark

2pm South Pacific v World XVIII Blacktown International Sportspark

The NAB AFL Under-16 Championships is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.