This week in Townsville, the annual Kickstart championships were launched with 150 - 15 year old Indigenous players from six states/territories (Victoria & Tasmania are combined) competing in a week long carnival.
The players have been selected via a series of local, regional and state based trials that engage up to 800 young Indigenous players across Australia from Bamaga to Bunbury and Fitzroy Crossing to Framlingham.
The championships are the first entry point for the players into the talented player pathway and form the final selection phase for the Flying Boomerangs.
Once selected, the Boomerangs will again play in Pool C of the NAB U16 championships in July and then undertake an international tour in December. As well as talent, the other criteria for Boomerangs selection is school attendance and leadership skills.
The Kickstart championships are also critical to further develop the life-skills of the players through the following educational workshops:
- Communication
- Decision Making
- Resilience
- Identity
A welcome addition to this years Kickstart program is the inclusion of three South Pacific teams (PNG/NZ/Combined Oceania) who in their own right, are developing positive talent results. This forms a part of the selection process for the South Pacific team who also play in Pool C of the NAB U16 championships.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the following staff who have worked extremely hard and diligently to ensure a program of the highest order is delivered this week:
- Ali Fahour, Program Manager
- Xavier Clarke, Championship Manager
- Chris Johnson, Talent Manager
- Peter Romaniw, Scheduling
- Narelle Long, Match Day Manager
- Amy Hattam, Media
- Jeremy Abbott, Coles partnership activation
- AFL Media
We would also like to acknowledge the efforts and support of AFL Queensland who have been outstanding in coordinating and managing all the logistical, officiating and facilities in Townsville.
The national Kickstart championships has become a significant sporting and cultural event that has produced many current AFL stars and will continue to produce many more.
Jason Mifsud
Head of Diversity
AFL
Last Modified on 12/04/2013 15:57