World Footy News

WFN reported back in March that Andrew Cadzow, AFL Pacific development manager, had been working with AFL PNG to help restore senior footy in PNG.

Cadzow says “Senior footy was once a great strength across the country, we are looking at recovering the game to its former glory, to make AFL a premier sport in PNG and make these senior footballers role models for the 40,000 juniors playing the game”.

In a media release on March 30, AFLPNG announced that BSP CEO Ian Clyne had agreed to chair an AFL sanctioned AFLPNG Senior Advisory Board for the 2011 season. AFL International Manager Tony Woods and Asia Pacific Manager Andrew Cadzow have charged the Advisory board to put in place the 2011 season and then spend the next 9 months finalising the best structure and key logistical requirements nationally for AFLPNG.

A key imperative is that the successful junior programs such as the Be Mobile Junior program, the Coca-Cola Talent Pathway, the various representative commitments as well as the AFLPNG Academy has created such growth that more than 20,000 players are currently progressing through the junior development channels. This puts a key focus now on providing a senior framework for a reasonable proportion to graduate into.

In the short term, the main focus areas include :

-Establishing a well structured Senior Port Moresby (AFLPOM) competition.

-Assist and resource all regional Senior Leagues in 2011

-Table a report of recommendations for AFLPNG Senior Football in 2012 and beyond.

For 2011, Cadzow stated “This year we will be offering licences to 6 Senior Clubs (and reserves) with the aim of a quality, well run and disciplined AFL POM competition.”

Quality venues are also a priority, and Cadzow mentioned the partnership with cricket to access venues at the Amini complex, as well as at UPNG and Murray Barracks.

This Saturday, April 9 sees the Senior Advisory Board launch the AFL POM Senior Pre-Season Competition at Amini Park. The Pre-Season comp will involve 2 pools of 4 teams, involving Uni Tigers, Defence, Bomana, Koboni, Moresby, Dockers, Boroko and Gordons. Matches are due to run from 1pm to 6pm.

The regular season for AFL POM is set to commence the following week on Saturday April 16. Cadzow also pointed out that the AFL will continue to help facilitate other senior competitions around the nation that will be commencing their 2011 seasons throughout April.