Niukick in Northern to scout talent for academy

Sports

By JACINTA COHLEE
NIUKICK programme representatives are visiting Northern to select children for a national talent academy tournament which will be held from Oct 28-29, according to an official.
Interim regional manager Josephine Ila said they would visit Markham, Ramu, Madang and Wewak.
“Previously, it was a town competition where children would field their own teams,” she said.
“But the honour has now been given to schools.
“We’ve sent invitations to all the schools in Morobe and eight of them have joined us.
“After our visits, the children will showcase their talents every Saturday at Eriku Oval where we will select players for the academy.”
Ila said they selected children to travel to Brisbane every September and October for an Australian Football League (AFL) tournament.
“We select children to join a team of Under-16 Pacific Islanders who then play an Australian side in Brisbane,” she said.
“AFL has pathways for children in PNG.”
Ila said developing young AFL players was crucial to the sport’s existence in the country.
“This is so that they can know AFL skills and rules by heart at a young age,” she said