The invited nations include Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Tonga and they will compete against Cairns Lions and the Cape York and Torres Strait Crusaders in both boys and girls competitions. Games will be played over three action-packed days at a variety of venues across Cairns, including Cazalys Stadium, Buchan Street Oval and Watsons Oval.Players have been selected to represent their country through their participation in the AFL Pacific High Performance Pathway Program. All have been training and playing with their academy programs in their home nations before September’s challenge. Highly skilled coaches and umpires from the Pasifika nations will also participate in the tournament.
For many, this will be their first opportunity participating or playing Australian rules football on Australian soil.
The three-day challenge is expected to be a fusion of culture, with Pasifika countries having the opportunity to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Cape York and Torres Strait Crusaders teams will feature players who board at the AFL Cape York House for boys and girls, who are from remote parts of Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait. The Cairns team will comprise of players from the region.
Head of AFL Queensland and International Trisha Squires said it will be a fulfilling weekend both on and off the footy field.
“We are thrilled to host the invited Pacific nations in Cairns for the Under 17 Pacific Nations Challenge,” she said.
“We have genuine talent in these Pasifika nations and through our high-performance pathway program, we want to provide opportunities for these players to showcase their ability and commitment to the game.
“Over the three days we will also see the Pasifika nations connect with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with many of the players coming from remote communities in Far North Queensland, the Torres Strait and Cape York.
“I have no doubt it will be a wonderful celebration, with all cultures connecting around their shared loved of our great game, Australian rules football.
“I would like to thank the Australian Government, through the PacificAus Sports Program, for supporting these aspiring players, coaches and umpires.
“Thank you to Cairns Regional Council, AFL Cape York House for boys and girls, AFL Cairns and all participants, staff and family members across Australia and the Pacific for making this showpiece event possible.”
Rick Hanlon, Cape York Programs Manager, said this event was created following the success of last year’s Under 16’s Tri Series in Cairns between the Cairns Lions, Cape York and Torres Strait Crusaders and visiting Papua New Guinea teams.
“The event was a huge success and the first of its kind here in Cairns,” he said.
“The series provided a much-needed pathway for our participants and we are delighted to again partner with the AFL International team and the Pacific Nations to bring this unbelievable event to fruition.”
Craig Lees, General Manager of AFL Cairns/Cazalys Stadium said it will be an unforgettable experience for all involved.
“This series is more than just matches, it’s about connection, opportunity and pride. Each nation involved can take pride in the role they’ve played in making it happen.
“It’s a credit to the collaboration and hard work of so many organisations that it’s grown from last year into something even more impactful.”
“For the players, especially those travelling from overseas, running out onto Cazalys Stadium will be something they’ll never forget. It’s one of the country’s best surfaces, the same ground that hosts Toyota AFL Premiership Season and NAB AFL Women’s matches, as well as international cricket. A surreal and inspiring moment for these young people.”
The final fixture and confirmed teams will be released closer to the event in September.
About AFL Pacific High Performance Program
The Australian Government has been partnering with the Australian Football League (AFL) since 2022 through PacificAus Sports to strengthen Australian rules football pathways in Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu. The partnership offers opportunities for promising young male and female players to access targeted training programs in their home countries and at regional SUNS, as well as the valuable opportunity to train with the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions academies. Coaching and umpire mentoring programs are also provided to further drive the development of the game throughout the region.
About AFL Cape York House
