Junior development programmes in northern Papua New Guinea have gained momentum with the inaugural Northern Zone Regional Championships recently showcasing PNG’s next generation of Australian football talent.

This year's Papua New Guinean NCD Grand Final saw a repeat of the 2002 final when the University Bulldogs smashed Wests 13.14 (92) to 4.4 (20) at Port Moresby's Amini Park.

A recent trip by AFL development officers to Kerema has resulted in the reinvigoration of Australian Football in PNG's Gulf Province.

Australian football has long neglected its own neighbours. A lot of work is now being done to change that. Could footy be bound for the South Pacific Games?

Not so long ago, when Australians moved overseas, they were forced to leave behind the game they love. Fortunately that is now changing, and Jeremy Blyth is someone who has benefitted. And since he spent several teenage years in New Zelaland, he hopes to represent them with pride in the 2005 International Cup.

A key component in the promotion of Australian Rules football around the world has been the Internet. After being dormant for some time during a major overhaul, it is great to see the new New Zealand AFL website online.

The growth of Australian footy in the South Pacifc continues, with the initial forays into the Solomons solidifying into a formal association and practice matches are underway.

Arguably New Zealand's strongest league, the new Auckland AFL season is about to get underway.

Australia's AFL Grand Final weekend (25th-26th September) is shaping up as a big weekend for football in New Zealand, with Christchurch set to host the National Provincial Championship (NPC) and an international junior tournament at a number of venues in the Canterbury region.

Desmond Kaumu, from Papua New Guinea, has won the Under 18s best and fairest in the Cairns (Queensland, Australia) Australian Football League. The following report is based on information from Scott Reid in PNG.