WA takes out All Nations and Kickstart Championships

Western Australia has taken out both divisions of the 2016 Under 15 AFL National Diversity Championships in Townsville.

The week-long Championships featured over 300 young Indigenous and Multicultural AFL players across 13 teams representing all States and Territories.

Led by Head Coach Jermaine Davies, the Western Australia Kickstart side remained undefeated in the Championships, overcoming a physical Northern Territory side to win by 31 points, and coming out on top for the sixth year in a row.

In the All Nations Grand Final, Western Australia managed to kick a goal and hold on to win by five points in the dying minutes of the clash against a determined Victorian/Tasmanian side.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said the Championships were a huge success and it was great to see so many people involved.

“The AFL National Diversity Championships are a genuine elite talent pathway providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians and people from diverse backgrounds to embrace all aspects of football and hopefully either reach the elite level one day or remain involved in football at State or community levels.

Currently in its third year, the AFL National Diversity Championships has been developed to provide a supported talented player pathway that compliments the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships and exposes Indigenous and Multicultural players, coaches, umpires, and trainers to an elite AFL Program environment.

The Championships formed the basis for selection in the Boomerangs and World Team squads at this year’s NAB AFL Under 16 Championships to be held on the Gold Coast in July.

Following their impressive performances at the AFL National Diversity Championships last week, 21 WA players have been selected by AFL recruiters for the two squads, while Head Coach of the WA Kickstart team Jermaine Davies has been named coach of the AFL Flying Boomerangs squad.

The AFL Flying Boomerangs program, supported by Rio Tinto, is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men aged 14-16 years old and the World Team is made up of the best upcoming AFL multicultural players from across the nation.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said the AFL Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are a great opportunity for the best rising Indigenous and Multicultural talent in the nation to develop on and off the field.

“These are more than just programs, we are now preparing the next generation of young leaders and footballers with the skills, qualities, and experiences to become positive role models amongst their own families and within their broader communities.”