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
