Three NSW/ACT players in World Team
By Bronte Kerr
Nathan Harapin (Swans Academy), Jacob Ochieng (GIANTS Academy) and Moustafa Sattout (Swans Academy) have been named in the 25 man squad that will take part in the National U16s Championships beginning weekend.
All three players have been involved in talent programs run by the AFL Diversity Department, including the Stephen Coniglio Talent Camp which was held last December.
Following the camp, the boys participated in the National Diversity Championships as part of the 12 man NSW/ACT All Nations team.
The boys’ selection onto the World Team highlights the burgeoning talent of multicultural players in the NSW/ACT region.
The World XVIII team was first incorporated into the Under 16 championships in 2009 in a bid to strengthen the AFL’s international development plans.
The Sydney trio will hit the road on Friday to join their team mates in the Gold Coast, ahead of this year’s National Championships.
The World Team will play two games against the Boomerangs, in addition to participating in a raft of team bonding and cultural sessions.
While training will no doubt play a key role in the team’s preparations, these additional off the field sessions will be equally instrumental in facilitating team bonding.
On Monday (6th July) the boys will have an education session with David Rodan, followed by a Vilification policy session and a culture session.
That evening, the team will have the chance to prepare a War Cry, ahead of their clashes with the Boomerangs.
On Tuesday, the boys will take on the Boomerangs at 4pm, for the first of their two games for the Championships.
Wednesday and Thursday of next week will see the side participating in further activities off the field, namely, a decision making session, a resilience session, and a night of bowling.
The World Team will then take to the field again in their second game against the Boomerangs, which will kick off at 2pm next Friday.
AFL NSW/ACT would like to extend our congratulations to the boys for their inclusion in the side and wish them all the best in their Championships campaign.
World XV111 perform a traditional dance before a AFL Under 16 championships match in 2011, Image: AFL Media.
