2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships

The seven-day carnival has been expanded to 12 teams with the inclusion of the AFL’s Indigenous Youth side, the Flying Boomerangs, and the Western Australia North-West team.

AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said more players have the chance to participate in the championships.

“In 2012 players from throughout Australia and the world will be in Sydney to compete.

“The introduction of the WA North-West team is a great initiative that will give players in remote communities the chance to train and play together, improve their skills and give them every opportunity to pursue their football careers.

“Our international teams, the World XVIII and South Pacific, both registered wins last year proving they have the talent to pursue our game to the highest level,” he said.

The South Pacific team includes players from Tonga, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa.

The World XVIII is comprised of players from multicultural backgrounds living in Australia and nine overseas-based players. Sudan, USA, Denmark, India, South Africa and Indonesia are some of nations represented.

The Flying Boomerangs is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men that are 14-15 years of age. The squad was selected following the AFL KickStart Under-15 Championships which were held in April.

Players from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions will represent the WA North-West team. The team is predominately Indigenous and was selected following a talent camp held in Broome in April.

Four former AFL players are coaching:

NSW/ACT                  Tadgh Kennelly

World XVIII              Xavier Clarke

WA North West          Phil Narkle

Flying Boomerangs     Andrew McLeod

2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships fixture

Round One

Saturday July 7

12pm               Western Australia v South Australia Blacktown International Sportspark

2.30pm            Vic Country v Vic Metro                    Blacktown International Sportspark

 

Sunday July 8

9.30am            WA North-West v South Pacific        Blacktown International Sportspark

12.15pm          Tasmania v Queensland                      Blacktown International Sportspark

2.40pm            NSW/ACT v Northern Territory         Blacktown International Sportspark

5.30pm            World XVIII v Flying Boomerangs   Blacktown International Sportspark

Round Two

Tuesday July 10

11am               Vic Country v South Australia           Blacktown International Sportspark

1.10pm            Western Australia v Vic Metro           Blacktown International Sportspark

Wednesday July 11

10am               Tasmania v NSW/ACT                       Bruce Purser Reserve

12pm               Queensland v Northern Territory        Bruce Purser Reserve

4pm                 Flying Boomerangs v South Pacific   Blacktown International Sportspark

6pm                 World XVIII v WA North-West        Blacktown International Sportspark

Round Three

Friday July 13

10am               Western Australia v Vic Country       Blacktown International Sportspark

12.10pm          Vic Metro v South Australia               Blacktown International Sportspark

Saturday July 14

9.30am            Northern Territory v Tasmania            Blacktown International Sportspark

9.30am            WA North-West v Flying Boomerangs          Blacktown International Sportspark

11.30am          Queensland v NSW/ACT                   Blacktown International Sportspark

2pm                 South Pacific v World XVIII             Blacktown International Sportspark

 

 

The NAB AFL Under-16 Championships is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
 
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player’s career, and comprises the following elements:
 
NAB AFL Rising Star
NAB AFL Draft
NAB AFL Draft Combine

NAB AFL Under-18 Championships

AIS-AFL Academy

NAB AFL Under-16 Championships