World Footy News

The following is a media release from AFL Northern Territory announcing selections in the national Kickstart and World teams from the recent Diversity Championships in Sydney.


AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is pleased to announce that seven young Territorians were named in Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads to play two exhibition matches at the 2017 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships on the Gold Coast in July.

Selected by AFL Club recruiters following the 2018 AFL National Male Diversity Championships held in Blacktown, the respective squads of 25 young men has been chosen based on school attendance, leadership skills, and football ability.

The AFL Flying Boomerangs program is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men aged 14-16 years old, supported by Rio Tinto. Meanwhile the World Team is made up of the best upcoming AFL multicultural players from across the nation.

AFL General Manager Game Development, Andrew Dillon, said the Rio Tinto AFL Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are a great opportunity for the best rising Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural talent in the nation to develop on and off the field.

“The Boomerangs and World Team squads have been selected following their impressive performances at the 2018 AFL National Diversity Championships in Blacktown this week.

“These are more than just programs, we are now preparing the next generation of young leaders and footballers with the skills, qualities, and experiences to become positive role models amongst their own families and within their broader communities.

“Over the past few years we have seen the Diversity Championships grow into a genuine elite talent pathway and we look forward to witnessing the next stage of development for these players, coaches, and umpires,” Mr Dillon said.

Rio Tinto Managing Director, Joanne Farrell, said: “The AFL National Diversity Championships are a brilliant showcase for the diverse culture of Indigenous and multicultural communities from across the country. We are thrilled to support this amazing program.”

“Flying Boomerangs is more than a football program, it’s a chance for our future Indigenous players to embrace their heritage on Australia’s biggest sporting stage.”

AFLNT Development Coach Matt Campbell said the week away had a seen a great outcome for the Northern Territory.

“This was the first time the NT has had selection in the World Team with Ariki and Andy – one from Darwin and one from Alice Springs which is good representation from across the Territory”.

“With our Kickstart guys, four out of the five were from remote communities so congratulations go back to our remote staff from AFLNT and other programs there as well.”

“It’s a great opportunity for these young lads to springboard their footy careers if you look back at the Flying Boomerangs program and how many players have been drafted from the program, not only from the Territory but all over Australia,” Campbell said.


2018 Rio Tinto Flying Boomerangs

Gundjarra Mununggurr (NT)
Preyben Tipiloura (NT)
Antonio James (NT)
Jamie Baxter (NT)
Taj Buitenhaus (NT)


2018 World Team

Ariki Lowe (NT)
Andy Wakefield (NT)


Rio Tinto is the principal partner to all of the AFL’s Indigenous Programs. Rio Tinto is one of Australia’s largest employers of Indigenous people, employing some 1600 Aboriginal men and women across the nation.