The 2006 Papua New Guinea National titles have been postponed to September, due to concerns that too many regions could not afford to attend. This is a reminder that for all footy's great gains in PNG in recent years, the country is by no means weathy and travel is a major commitment. On a brighter note, there is a suggestion that an Aussie side may travel to PNG to play, and the Arafura Games are on the agenda.

Supporters of international footy will be excited that the first country has arrived that can regularly provide valuable footballers to leagues in Australia. This means that the game is truly developing well in their country. Of course there is a drawback that must be remembered. The lure of Australia will provide players with valuable experience and possibly an income, but a net loss of players from the home country will weaken the domestic league they have left.

Further to our recent stories on the success of Papua New Guniea's star youngsters at the Queensland U16 Country Championships and Queensland State U16 Championships, AFL PNG have issued a press release detailing their very encouraging results being achieved at junior and senior level in Australian Football. We don't normally publish entire press releases verbatim, but this excellent report from Scott Reid deserves a full read.

Highlights include Stanis Susuve's selection for the Queensland Scorpions, the DeLaSalle Scholarship and a summary of the seven Papuans now playing senior footy in the Sunshine state's leagues. AFL Queensland Talent Manager Mark Browning suggests higher honours await several of the under 16s players and AFL PNG CEO Andrew Cadzow believes PNG is now recognised as the emerging top talent zone outside of Australia, including Ireland.

The ramifications for the world growth of Australian Football are not yet clear. The rapidly accelerating strength of PNG may discourage other countries and if AFL clubs focus more on PNG than other nations may feel neglected. However, as Papuans make their way into the Aussie football system there will be wider recognition of the game's international potential, and this may well see increased support. Time will tell but for supporters of footy spreading beyond Australia's shores it is certainly heartening to see impressive results starting to flow. And when a few "home grown" Papuans do make the big time, footy will take off in Australia's northern neighbour.

Four Papua New Guinea youngsters were selected for the squad to represent the Country Kookaburras in the Queensland Under 16 Championships after the PNG lads dominated the recent Queensland Country Championships (see Binatangs dominate Queensland Country Championships). The Kookas have just completed a great 2006 series at O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere, making the grand final where they lost to the Northern Raiders. In terrific news for the international spread of the game, three of the PNG boys were star performers throughout the tournament, and one has made it through to Queensland's state under 16 squad.

Live Australian football will be telecast across New Zealand from this week after the New Zealand AFL and its corporate partners successfully lobbied for the sport's inclusion in cable television programming.

The Papua New Guinea under 16s have again won the U16s Queensland Country Championships, defeating Cairns comfortably in the grand final. PNG are the one country consistently taking on and defeating Aussie sides, thanks both to the great grassroots development of the game in the nation, and to the strong support from AFL Queensland. Four of the boys have been selected to represent the Country Kookaburras in the Queensland U16 Championships, though from the scorelines it would seem plenty of other lads deserved a spot.

The 2006 National Championships for senior footy in PNG will be held on June 10th to 12th in Lae. Expected to attend are representative squads from the leagues in Lae, National Capital District (Port Moresby), Western Highlands Province (Mt Hagen), Eastern Highlands Province (Goroka), West New Britain (Kimbe, Hoskins), East New Britain (Rabaul, Pomio) and Buka. Runners-up at the International Cups of 2002 and 2005, the strong PNG leagues should see some great action. WFN speaks with PNG footy legend Peter Michael, father of champion Brisbane Lions fullback Mal.

In another impressive performance by AFLPNG's junior pathways program five young players were in the mix for selection to represent Country Queensland in the Kookaburras under 18's squad that played at the Queensland state championships, with Emmaus Wartovo leading the way on the scoreboard. The country squad struggled against the rapidly improving city teams at the championships through March 2006, but the next step for AFLPNG will be to get some of their lads into the state U18s team picked from the tournament.

In further good news for the game in Papua New Guinea, the Brisbane Lions are exploring ways to further their role in the emerging footy country. Top Lions officials recently visited Australia's northern neighbour and were full of praise for the program. AFLPNG, the Australian Football League and Australian Volunteers International have also announced a new paid development position in the country, now open for applications, in the important role of National Operations Manager (a two year appointment).