Tour ends on bright note for visitors but footy the real winner
THE Flying Boomerangs have drawn the two-match series with Papua New Guinea after winning at Lae yesterday by 32 points. The under-16 side (not under-18s as previously reported), coached by AFL Foundation CEO and one-time Saint, Jason Mifsud, defeated the Kupundas 7.10 (52) to 3.2 (20) to avenge Friday's one-point loss in Port Moresby.
The young Indigenous team, drawn from almost all eight Australian States and Territories, put on an exciting, skilful and free-flowing game to beat the home side in front of a reported 6000 people.
Best players for the visitors were Graham Ryan from Perth, speedster Luke Wilson from Adelaide, Delson Trott from Boulder near Kalgoorlie, Michael Dunn from the Tiwi Islands and Far North Queensland's Kieran Johnson from Lockhart River. Reid Crowe and Brandon Ah Chee were solid contributors.
While the tour helps forms an important component of the Flying Boomerangs program -- that is, to focus on the development of young Indigenous leaders as well as exposing them to elite coaching -- it has also served to develop football internationally.
This tour has been the first by an organised football team to PNG in 20 years and it has reportedly given the game a boost. The Kupundas, coached by former Richmond utility, Ray Hall, fielded different teams for each match, pointing to depth, at least in teenage football, in that country.
Mifsud said the tour had been a great learning experience for the Australian boys, on and off the field.
"They have learnt how to think their way through difficult circumstances and opponents, including a new environment, a new culture and language, and long, demanding days," he said. "This program underpins the relationship the AFL is developing with Indigenous Australia and highlights the opportunities this partnership presents.
"And along the way, this group of young men have had a wonderful experience that we hope can give them strength to face their future challenges."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Monday, March 16, 2009
Last Modified on 17/03/2009 00:39