Maningrida All Stars Win Qantas KickStart Country Championships

The Maningrida All Stars defeated the East Arnhem Cats by 36 pts in the Qantas KickStart Country Championships this afternoon at TIO Stadium.

The Maningrida All Stars defeated the East Arnhem Cats by 36 pts in the Qantas KickStart Country Championships this afternoon at TIO Stadium.

After finishing at the top the table at the conclusion of the round robin competition the All Stars were clearly a cut above the rest and we deserved winners of the Grand Final.

The Championships have been hailed a great success by providing an insight to a lot of talented youngsters.

"The Country Championships not only provided these kids with the chance to play competitive football but it also allowed a number of players to be identified for various programs we have on offer in the NT and through the Qantas AFL KickStart program," said AFL Northern Territory Game Development Manager Kevin Bruce.

The carnival included not only football but a host of activities including talks from NT Thunder players, AFL Indigenous Ambassador Michael Long and also recently AIS appointed Head Coach Jason McCartney.

McCartney delivered a seminar to the children at Charles Darwin University around leadership and goal setting skills. He shed some light on his colorful playing career and his well documented come back after the horrific Bali Bombings.

"Jason’s seminar provided the kids with a great insight into what it takes to be an elite footballer. The key messages he and other presenters have delivered during this carnival are messages we hope the kids take back to their communities," added Bruce.

At the conclusion of his seminar McCartney handed out All Star Team Jersey’s to the best players, umpires and coaches of the three day carnival.

The Qantas AFL KickStart Country Championships provides remote indigenous players with an opportunity to be identified for talented player programs including the NT Thunder program, Qantas AFL KickStart camp and the Flying Boomerangs which is an indigenous Australian U16 team.

2009 Qantas KickStart Country Championship Standings (After round robin)

Maningrida All Stars 28pts
Central Australia Warriors 24
East Arnhem Cats 16
West Arnhem Storm 16
Tiwi Bombers 16
Katherine Hawks 4
Barkly Tigers 4
Daly River 4

Grand Final Scores:
Maningrida All Stars 9.6 – 60 def. East Arnhem Cats 4.0 - 24

2009 Qantas KickStart Awards:
Players of Carnival and Player of Grand Final – Xavier Darcy
Umpire of Carnival – Gerard Watson (Maningrida)

2009 Qantas AFL KickStart All Star team