World Footy News

PNG is undoubtedly a power in Australian football in the South Pacific-Oceania region. And along with the AFL PNG academy; the best juniors from PNG have access to some exciting opportunities to play representative football. In May, the PNG Coca Cola U/16 Binatangs took on the best young players in QLD in Queensland State Championships; but unfortunately the PNG Women were unable to make it to Cairns for 2012 Kooga AFL Queensland Women’s State Championships due to visa issues.

The PNG Coca Cola U/14 Binatangs will travel to the Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to compete in the QLD U/14 State Championships from 25-30th June. AFL PNG describes it as “…a very exciting time and will be the first time out of PNG too for many of the young future stars.”

The squad below will be reduced to 23 players to make the trip.

Coca Cola U/14 Binatangs

1.	Jeremiah Ragi	15.	John Susuve
2.	Gilmore Morehari	16.	Ludwig Teine
3.	Gideon Peter	17.	Jackson Nawi
4.	Raymond Nukari	18.	Boaz Kaipa
5.	Gabbi Wingomi	19.	John Puang
6.	Boi Mark	20.	Norman John
7.	Nathaniel Noke	21.	Tommy N’Dresanei
8.	Steven Tiki	22.	Kenneth Jan
9.	Trendol Soten	23.	David Roy
10.	Boas Michael	24.	Alex Yoko
11.	Baksi Noi	25.	Nile Aki
12.	Goodwill Moide	26.	Eddie Gavuri
13.	Zabediah Linge	27.	Nelson Isu
14.	Kila Rawali	28.	Lawrence Kavanumur

Coach: Ben Drew Manager: Willie Yogamin
Assistant: Herman Bubu Trainer: TBC

NAB South Pacific U/16’s

The Head Coach of the South Pacific U/16 Side David Lake is in the country for a week to train the AFLPNG Academy players and also the 9 South Pacific Squad members.

It will be a busy week for the boys at the academy as they will be undergoing training with David Lake in the afternoons and studying as well. Lake was not surprise to see that the boys have been training very hard and are enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to play in the Australian National U/16 Championships in Sydney 4th - 14th July.

The South Pacific U/16 side is made up of players from PNG, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands & New Caledonia. The first game will be against Western Australia North West on Sunday 8th July at Blacktown International Sports Park.

The 9 PNG players are :






Hosea Wortovo
Michael Macca
Luke Severe
Benedict Tirang
Ori Nilmo
Daniel Gitau
Scott Johnson
Harry Kambaou
Tamata’ane Rai

Development – the Salamaua trip in the Northern Region

Just Recently AFLPNG Northern Region Development Manager Connie Papau journeyed to Salamaua Island to run AFL Clinics in schools and Provinces around the island.

The clinics were a huge success with around 100 children participating in the skills and drills session each day for the 3 day events. Children were taken through a variety of skills and games throughout each day finishing with a swim at the local waterfall.

The events were such a success that the school has asked for Connie to return before the years end.

BSP AFL premiership

The POM (Port Moresby) Senior football season is set to commence on the 30th June at Amini Park. In great news this season there will be the addition of 1 new club the Gerehu Magpies, and the continuation of the 7 clubs from the 2011 season.

NuiKick launched – Lihir Island

In this remote Island off New Ireland Province in the Papua New Guinea Islands, the AFLPNG Nuikick (NAB Auskick) program has been launched with 90 boys and girls aged from Kindy (3yrs) to Grade 7 (14yrs). The students are a mixture of local PNG children and Australian children living in the Mining village and around town. AFLPNG Acting General Manager Ben Drew and AFLPNG Development Officer Herman Bubu have spent the week running AFL at the Lihir Island International School.

Day 1 the children received their Backpacks and immediately there were blue hats and footballs everywhere! As well as wheeling and dealing AFL trading cards all week!

Lihir International Primary School will officially become the first registered Nuikick centre in PNG and all the children are looking forward to entering the NAB Auskicker of the year competition!

Special thanks was made by AFL PNG to Newcrest Mining for providing the funding for this program.

Other news….

AFLPNG Academy update

As reported above, the AFLPNG Academy at Bomana received a visit last week from South Pacific Coach David Lake.

The AFLPNG Academy players train each afternoon of the week (except Friday) and each morning. Undoubtedly, it is with great relief that the new Academy Toilets and showers are operational and are reportedly being well used by the players!

The Academy is always on the lookout for donations of footy gear, especially footballs. Also other general items such as computers, couches, curtains, weights, books etc. Anyone able to help should contact the AFLPNG office on :
Ph: (+675) 325 4943
Email: admin@afl-png.com