By HENRY MORABANG
MORE than 400 youngsters took part in the 2007 AFL Junior National Championships which was held at Igam Barracks in Lae last month.
AFL-PNG president Peter Michael said the championship was a huge success as many young players show their true colours during the championships.
He said the players came from islands by boat, the highlands by PMV and Port Moresby by plane. The accommodation, catering and playing facilities were all given the thumbs up by the children. Even the rain and slippery ovals could not dampen their enthusiasm.
After the championships, 100 boys were selected to continue in the Binatangs programme and will gather at the National Sports Institute in Goroka over the first weekend in December to be fitness and skill tested by AFL personnel from Australia. In addition, 35 girls were also selected to be part of the 2008 Kurakums squad who will start their training next year.
Southern Zone won the Under 17. The Under 17 Division was tightly contested, with the greatest margin being 22 points. Southern region was undefeated but had a couple of close games.
Michael said that the standard of football at this level had improved because a large number of these players have played for the Binatangs in Australia on at least one occasion. “With the addition of the Under 14 Binatangs to the representative programme then the standard should continue to increase,” he added.
Southern Zone won three of the six games played while other region won a game each behind the winner.
In the Under 15 Division, the Northern zone proved too strong to remain undefeated throughout the tournament. They provided a surprise at the nationals by remaining undefeated in their three games, Michael said, adding that they played a very fast flowing style of football and were hardly challenged throughout the week. “Their display of teamship was an example to all.”
In the Under 13 boys, Southern region, once again showed that they were the most consistent region in this age group and did not lose a game. Although the Islands region were unlucky to lose the final game in a close tussle and the game went down to the last minute. Inconsistency plagued the other Regions with each of them winning one game.
In the girls division, after a relatively slow start against the Islands region, the Northern girls dominated this division.
“Unfortunately, the Southern zone did not bring a full squad and were supplemented by girls from other regions. It shows the true spirit of these games, when a composite Southern region team can actually win a game with girls in their team from the losing team,” Michael said.