World Footy News

With David Rodan delisted from Port Power and the 29 year old's career in limbo with the hope of perhaps returning to original club Richmond – the competition that previously had carried his name in Fiji was recently held.

The ‘David Rodan Cup’ has from last year become the ‘Fiji Day Cup’. The first DRC was first held in 2009. The 2012 installment was held Wednesday last week (Oct 10). A key outcome of the day was the establishment of a 40-strong training squad of Under 15s (previously under 16s) for the 2012 AFL inter-Pacific Island tournament later this year. The invitation has been put out for an AFL-qualified coach to guide the enthusiastic youngsters.

The challenge currently is the lack of an AFL-qualified coach. AFL Fiji would love to hear from any volunteer in Australia or a Fiji based ex-pat who can take on the role (noting that it would be at their own expense). With just 2 months to go, AFL Fiji will do their best including using some of the more experienced local players to assist with preparations.

The opportunity to coach the national Fiji Under 15s squad (mostly new to the game) would be ideal for perhaps a recently retired coach who could do worse than some quality time in Fiji.

The Under 15s are preparing for the annual Oceania Cup which will be held again in Suva (December 13-19). It is expected that Nauru, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Tonga will attend. It appears that current champions New Zealand along with PNG have been ‘promoted’ out of the tournament.

The Fiji Day Cup was held last Wednesday (Oct 10) at the Veiuto School grounds. The Best Player Award went to PETER WILSON of Vunimono High School, whilst further awards including McDonalds encouragement awards were made to a number of other participants.

The day saw 6 teams formed (Swans One and Two, Green One and Two, and Lelean Cats One and Two). The Lelean One (Lelean Memorial School) side won the day after a 32 point win over (Suva City) Swans One in the first round and a narrow 5 pt win in the 1st place play off against the Swans Two side (who had a 33 pt win over Green Two in the first round). The matches were held in fine sunny conditions said to be the best weather in the four years of the tournament.

AFL Fiji like all grass roots footy relies on the efforts of volunteers and committee members. For the successful day the committee of AFL Fiji thanked the Medical First Aid team; the Navuso family for provision of the PA system and team management all day; Board members Rachel Bale and Pasepa Wainiqolo for the lunches provided; Ben Drew from AFL Asia-Pacific for his umpiring and umpiring staff supervision including Bill Tuni, Solo Navuso and Jack Wolfgramm; Lupe Wolfgramm for team supervision and ground management; our Goal and Boundary Umpires Lani, Macu, and Beni; and Board members Nick, Richard and AFL Fiji Chairman, Inoke Leweni for total support. What is clear is that any ex-pats who are able to co-ordinate travel with local footy tournaments should be very much able to make themselves useful if they make themselves known.

At senior level, the Fiji senior national team is in the final month preparations for a landmark four match tour versus Nauru. Again, there is a lack of an AFL-qualified coach, however, local ex-pat Richard Babovic has volunteered to coach and manage the squad in the month ahead. He has the full support of AFL Fiji and as a number of the older players in the senior squad have the benefit of the experience of the successful 2011 International Cup campaign that brought home the Division 2 trophy. The 4 match series is scheduled across November 13-23 at Albert Park, Suva. AFL Fiji is hoping this can be the first of perhaps even an annual event. Matches are scheduled for 5pm with games to be played on Tuesdays 13th and 20th November and Fridays 16th and 23rd of November. The Nauru Team manager is John Tannang and the as mentioned earlier the Fiji Team Manager is Richard Babovic.

AFL Fiji reminder to players - Seniors and Juniors Training: Tuesday and Thursday at Nausori; Wednesday and Friday at Albert Park - Sunday matches as usual at Albert Park.