Queensland Inclusion Team:
Grayden Poulsen has been a long time Nambour & Hinterland player, playing all levels of junior football through the first decade of this century and in recent years playing some senior footy for the club. Memories of Grayden through junior footy were of him loving a goal and at that a very reliable kick with a strong drop punt.
In growing up Grayden was a huge Simon Black fan and at one point he was presented with a pair of Blackies playing boots, which he then proudly slept in that night.
AFL Queensland has an annual award named after Grayden in recognition of the Nambour & Hinterland clubs strong desire to be all inclusive in its community football approach. Grayden has always been much loved by his team mates who have always embraced him in all they do.
In a team jumper presentation last Sunday Grayden was named team Queensland Captain and presented with his classic "Q" maroon jumper in front of family, friends and supporters. He and his team mates will assemble in Melbourne as the Queensland team to participate in the National Inclusion Carnival from June 18 to 23.
To get Grayden to Melbourne, a carer had to be funded to accompany him and who else should it be but his best mate and dad, Phil. This trip nearly didn’t happen, until past Nambour & Hinterland club President Lance Nunn stepped in and in a matter of hours rattled the tin to financially help get Phil and Grayden to Melbourne – a huge well done to those who contributed.
Queensland Open Women's Team v Tasmania:
Our very own Shannon Campbell just keeps achieving new accolades within the game and this weekend will see her reach new heights as she to steps out to represent Queensland at an Open level.
During the week Shannon is out kicking Auskick footies anywhere across the coast as she works diligently as one of our AFL Sunshine Coast trainees. But come Friday she will be joining team mates to fly to Tasmania for the state women’s clash in Hobart the next day.
Shannon is one of the youngest members of the team but continually plays strong hard footy that saw her again named Fullback in the 2014 All Australian team named after the National Under 18 championships held in Canberra in early May.
We wish her the best of luck this weekend as she takes another step forward in her already illustrious AFL career.
NEAFL Representative Team v Tasmania:
The NEAFL team also head to Tasmania and they will front up against the strength of the locals on Saturday afternoon following the women's game.
Pulling on the boots for the NEAFL unit are a number of past Sunshine Coast juniors in Daniel Dzufer and Austin Lucy of Caloundra, Todd Grayson of Maroochydore, and Jed Turner of Nambour & Hint and Maroochydore.
Dzufer now at Redlands, Grayson at Southport, and Lucy and Turner at Aspley will come together and I am sure play pivotal roles in the Northerners efforts against the Apple Islers.
All boys played their part in representatives junior football for the coast in their time, with Dzufer then going on to play four games at the Lions. Lucy was on the Essendon list as a Rookie and Grayson was with the SUNS in their early years when they played in the VFL. Today all four are playing very strong footy for their respective NEAFL teams as we always keep a glancing eye on their progress.
We wish the boys luck in what is sure to be a huge test against the strong AFL state of Tasmania.
Both the Womens and NEAFL games are being live streamed via www.neafl.com.au
Under 18 National Championships - Queensland:
The NAB AFL Under 18 Championships are the centrepiece of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, a key platform for aspiring AFL players to stake their claims as the most talented AFL players going into the 2014 AFL Draft at the end of the season.
The Maroons head to Sydney this week to play their opening game of the 2014 NAB AFL Under 18 National Championships against Tasmania at Blacktown oval. From there they head to Melbourne to play Northern Territory on Saturday June 28 and then their final division two game is against NSW/ACT at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday July 2.
Sunshine Coast players in line for selection in this Queensland team over the course of the championships are: Cameron Stevenson (Maroochydore), Daniel Henderson (Caloundra / Maroochydore), Will Kristelly (Maroochydore), Nate Dennis (Kawana Park) and Soul Cormick (Nambour & Hinterland / Maroochydore).
Good luck to all these young men in their efforts to forge an AFL career.
Under 16 National Championships - Queensland:
Also set to take to centre stage this year within the National Championships is the states Under 16 team. The Championships are being held on the Gold Coast across the week starting Saturday 5th July. The Queensland team is in division two and will play NSW/ACT, Tasmania and Northern Territory; there first game on Sunday 6th July.
From the Sunshine Coast view point unfortunately accident and injury has forced a couple of the Maroochydore boys out of the side in Haydyn Cliff and Jason Kennedy. Also Gympie and now Maroochydore young ruckman Hayden Tompkins unfortunately missed out on final selection.
Joel Perry-Warren (Gympie) and James Puschmann (Maroochydore) were strong regional team performers in early May now find themselves well in the State Championships team. Whilst also in this past week 2013 State member Eric Hipwood (Caloundra) has been called back into the team.
Other Regional News:
- The Sunshine Coast Under 14's team is surrently shaping up for their state championships, a previous website article will tell you more about their endeavours.
- State School boys Under 12's, Under 15's and Girls 16's are all gearing up for their National Championships in late July - that in itself is another story.
Good luck to all these Sunny Coasters in their endeavours, we will be barracking for you all back amongst the Sunshine.
Last Modified on 24/09/2014 11:15