The 2015 Diversity Championships commence today in Cairns with two NT Teams participating.
The competition which runs for five days encompasses the National under 15 Kickstart Championships and the National under 15 All Nations Cup.
The Kickstart Championships is an AFL Indigenous program, targeting emerging Indigenous coaches and players, while All Nations players and coaches must be either born overseas or have a parent born overseas.
The Championships provide an important pathway to further football for the talented young players, with potential to go on and represent the Flying Boomerangs or be part of the World Team squad.
Coaching development is an equally important component of the Diversity Championships, with the opportunity to work with the AFL’s coaching academy.
Team Manager of both teams, Sam Ellis AFLNT Remote Projects Coordinator, believes the opportunity is an important one to strengthen the game long-term.
“The championships provide an important step into the AFL Northern Territory Talent program for the best indigenous and multicultural under 15’s from across the Territory,” Ellis said today.
“This year we have players from Maningrida, Yirrkala, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Tennant Creek, Darwin and Alice Springs so the programs ability to provide opportunities to a diverse range of Territorians is second to none.
“Our All Nations side has boys hailing from the US, New Zealand, Greece, China and South Africa.
“One of the best stories to come out of the diversity championships from last year has been Patrick Taban.
“Taban travelled with the All Nations side last year where he was selected in the World Team, he then made his senior debut for Nightcliff Tigers in the 2014/15 NTFL Season.
“Most pleasing for the program and to highlight the pathway possible for these players and staff travelling with the team is that he has travelled with the squad this year to be assistant coach and mentor for the All Nations side.”
The opening ceremony is tonight from 6:00pm while the All Nations team plays NSW/ACT tomorrow at 11:00am and the Kickstart Team at 3:00pm against NSW/ACT.
All-Nations Team
Kieran Mu Darwin
Dylan Newall Darwin
Nathan Mu Darwin
Josh Hubbard Darwin
Naum Krauer Alice Springs
Nelson Sonntag Darwin
Elian Tovar Darwin
Yiannis Alexopoulos Darwin
James Quin Darwin
Harry Smith-Lester Darwin
Tyson Dudson Darwin
Cohen Hutt Darwin
Dennis Jackson Darwin
Coach: Josh Heath
Team Manager: Sam Ellis
Assistant Coach: Patrick Taban
Mentors (both teams): Richard Tambling and Liam Patrick
Physio: Donny Cubillo
Kickstart Team
Yuninpingu Tiny Nhulunbuy
Travis Rose Lakamanu
Alvin Doolan Maningrida
Zakorah Gibson Maningrida
Barranda Ngurrwuthun Nhulunbuy
Keithon Clyden Big Rivers
Brandan Rusca Darwin
Peter Wees Palmerston
William Bruce Alice Springs
Patrick Puautijimi Tiwi Islands
Kyrell Barton Tennant Creek
Liam Fitz Tennant Creek
Brayden McLennan Darwin
James Bell Alice Springs
Ryan Althouse-Cooper Darwin
Michael Mummery Darwin
Fraser Tipungwuti Tiwi Islands
Dominic Forbes Alice Springs
Izaak Wyatt Darwin
George Wungungmurra Nhulunbuy
Ethan McMaster Alice Springs
Coach: Shannon Rusca
Team Manager: Sam Ellis
Assistant Coach: Peter Lake