World Footy News

A packed house of players, officials, volunteers and dignitaries filled The Tanks Arts Centre tonight to usher in the official welcome of the National Diversity Championships in Cairns. On a humid but pleasant night the assembled audience were treated to entertainment, formal welcomes and player interviews as a prelude to the real action on the football field over the next five days.

The evening commenced to the resonating power of the didgeridoo and dance from the Wuba Indigenous performing troupe before Rick Hanlon, AFL Cape York Programs Director and Master of Ceremonies for the night, acknowledged the traditional owners of the land on which we were meeting before introducing State Treasurer and member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, and Marc Harbrow, brother of Gold Coast Suns star Jarrod Harbrow, who gave the traditional welcome on behalf of his people.

The captains of all teams in both the Kickstart Championships and the All Nations Championships were presented to the audience and asked a series if probing questions by MC Rick Hanlon. All captains were put on the spot, but showed their leadership skills by attacking the questions head-on with direct and insightful answers.

AFL Head Of Diversity, Jason Mifsud, spoke to the audience – most particularly the players, of the opportunities this carnival presented for their futures, explaining the career pathways for all players as well as recognising the great work done by many people both from the AFL Diversity teams across the country, the coaches, trainers, umpires and volunteers and also the AFL Cairns staff for bringing the event together.

Former Footscray and Carlton VFL player, Max O’Halloran, a long time stalwart of the AFL crusade in Cairns, addressed the crowd with his views on the value of the carnival and the part women play in the new era of AFL football.

Chinese musicians then brought the evening to a close, replete with two very happy and energetic Chinese Dragons that danced giddily through the audience, before closing addresses.

The action now shifts to Cazalys Stadium in Cairns tomorrow as matches commence and the Kickstart and All Nations teams from host state Queensland, New South Wales/ACT, Victoria/Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory commence their assaults on glory to be crowned 2015 champions.

Picture: All Kickstart & All Nations team captains (Courtesy AFL Diversity)