The Warwick Redback’s very own, Shane Walker and his Queensland side have enjoyed an impressive opening day at the 2017 AFL National Inclusion Carnival on the Gold Coast.
Queensland along with Walker, won five of their seven matches in the National Championships – lightning carnival round, which decides which Pool each side plays in. The Lightning carnival success will see the Queensland side along with Walker, play in Pool A against the likes of Victoria Metro, NSW/ACT and Victoria Country.
AFL Queensland Regional Manager for the Darling Downs, Jeff Neumann, said it is another highlight for the region with another State player for the Darling Downs.
“Shane celebrated his 50th career game with the Warwick Redback’s on the weekend and after four seasons in the red and blue, he has played an important role for the Redback’s inside the forward fifty and is very good by hand and foot and has a second to none work ethic,” Regional Manager Jeff Neumann said.
“Shane is our fourth State representative in 2017 for the Darling Downs and we will be watching closely on how the Queensland men go at the National Inclusion Championships,” Neumann added.
Insert from AFLQ.com.au
The AFL National Inclusion Carnival brings together footballers with an intellectual disability from across the country to take part in a round-robin carnival with teams representing the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia.
Throughout the week players will compete in a round robin competition, participate in education session with the Gold Coast SUNS, deliver football clinics to students at Special Schools and attend an AFL match at Metricon Stadium.
AFL General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch, said the carnival is a true indication the AFL is committed to ensuring opportunities to play our great game are accessible to all.
“The AFL supports and promotes inclusion of our game at all levels and the AFL National Inclusion Carnival provides an opportunity for players to play the game they love, socialise with their friends and be a part of a national event playing for their State or Territory,” Ms. Hosch said.
“The carnival not only gives some of Australia’s most talented footballers the chance to represent their State/Territory but is also an opportunity to showcase the significant abilities of footballers with an intellectual disability to the broader community.
“To have the opportunity to pull on their State or Territory jumpers may be a dream for all of these footballers but the personalities we see on the field and the great stories we hear is what really captures the true spirit of the carnival.”
Queensland Fixture – National Inclusion Championships
Game 1 vs. Victoria Country @ Broadbeach, 6:20pm Wed-26-July
Game 2 vs. Victoria Metro @ Surfers Paradise, 11:00am Thu-27-July
Game 3 vs. NSW/ACT @ Palm Beach, 11:20am Fri-28-July
Stay tuned to @aflqdarlingdowns on Facebook and www.aflq.com.au on how the Queensland team go at the National Championships.
Last Modified on 31/08/2017 09:14