World Footy News

The following media release from the AFLNT details the upcoming national schools AFL championships being held in Darwin. This carnival is a great breeding ground for future AFL stars, and for many the schools program is every bit as important as regular competition.

Commencing Sunday, TIO Stadium will host around 500 students from around Australia for the annual School Sport Australia 12 and under, 15 and under Boys and 16 and under Girls Championships.

School Sport NT CEO Helen Taylor is extremely excited at the prospect of hosting the championships again in 2013. “We look forward to hosting a successful event in the NT as AFL has always been close to our hearts, with numerous participants going on to the big time more recently Jake Neade and Jed Anderson to name two.”

“We have heard that the Victorian team especially are keen to escape the cold but are excited about the prospect of playing at TIO Stadium for the first time.

The Championships not only provide a great sporting spectacle but are expected to provide a great economic benefit to the NT with over 20 teams from across Australia converging on Darwin.

“The broader benefit to the Territory is that over 200 parents are expected to spend the week in Darwin with their children which will reap some economic outcomes for the NT.”

A special addition to the School Sport Australia Championships in 2013 is the inclusion of a Remote NT Invitational 12 and under team. “This is a great opportunity for those children in remote parts of the NT to participate in the Carnival and will expose them to the School Sport Program early to hopefully have them further develop to be part of the 15 and under Program in years to come.”

AFLNT General Manager of Community Football, Anthony Venes advised that this is a great boon for Territory footy and Territory Sport to have such an event here at TIO Stadium. “The School Sport Australia Championships provided a great opportunity and talent pathway for children particularly in the 15 and under age groups to gain entry into our U16 talent programs.”

“The Championships also provide 27 student umpires the opportunity to ply their trade in full competition and further develop their skills under the tutelage of our Umpiring Manager Mark Noonan.”

From the 15 and under Boys program there will be a School Sport Australia All Australian Team selected that will travel to South Africa.

The NT15 and under Boys will kick their championship campaign off on Sunday against Vic Country at 2:30pm followed by the Opening Ceremony at 4:15pm, which will be formally launched by NT Minister for Education Peter Chandler.