AFL carnival attracts scores of children

TWO hundred children converged on Kokopo’s AFL oval on July 6 to participate in the first AFL PNG East New Britain Junior Academy carnival day.
The event kicked off with a Niukick clinic open to all, with children learning the basic skills of AFL through fun games.
Academy selection matches were then played between Kalamanagunan and Kokopo primary schools in four categories: Under-13 (boys and girls), U15 boys, and U16 girls. Players showed outstanding skills and talent, especially considering they had a total of just four training sessions prior to the carnival.
Out of the group, 40 players were then selected to train as part of the ENB academy squad, and will train for spots in the PNG national Binatangs and Kurakums teams, and the South Pacific team, to compete in Queensland next year.
As part of the day, New Zealand volunteer Laura Barnett and Serah Tade from Kokopo LLG delivered gender-based violence and child rights presentations to all participants.
The presentation detailed rights of individuals, respect for girls and women, and discussing victim support services available.
Kokopo development officers Ben Vile and Alfred Samario, have been delivering junior programmes in schools during terms one and two.
They thanked all involved in helping on the day, contributing to a successful inaugural ENB carnival.