AFL Cairns is pleased to announce that we will be sending a squad of 23 youth players down to Victoria for 5 days in early April to play against Riddle District Football League and Ballarat Football League in a growing relationship between the regions.
Over the past four years, AFL Cairns and AFL Goldfields have developed a reciprocal travelling partnership which see’s both regions travel to each other’s ‘home’ to play.
AFL Cairns Operations Manager, Sean Hunter sees this as an excellent opportunity to expose local talent to some of the country’s best youth players and really immerse the Cairns team to genuine Victorian football culture. For most players, this will be the first time facing quality opposition outside of Queensland in unfamiliar territory.
Matches are scheduled to be played as twilight matches on Wednesday, 8th April against Riddle District Football League and on Friday, 10th April against Ballarat Football League at Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn and City Oval, Ballarat respectively.
While the focus of the trip is on field development, Hunter believes the trip acts as a holistic development opportunity for all players and officials involved. “During our time away we will engage with AFL Clubs to expose our players to the professional environment elite players are involved in while also participating in an educational presentation from TAC Cup club, Calder Cannons. Players will also attend the Round 2 Premiership Fixture at the MCG between Richmond Tigers vs. Western Bulldogs for player reviews”.
AFL Cairns sees this relationship with AFL Goldfields as an opportunity for players to network and build friendships which can assist in our players development and future careers.
Appointed Coach and Gold Coast SUNS Academy Coach for Cairns, Cameron Campbell believes “this will be a valuable development experience for Cairns players and this opportunity will hold players in good stead for the coming years.”
Hunter acknowledges AFL Cairns heavy support by saying “this concept is a great development tool which continues to support the talent program for our local North Queensland products. These experiences provide a path for Cairns players to reach the highest level as well as strengthening our local competition.”
AFL Cairns will release a 27-man training squad next week.
AFL Goldfields will travel to Cairns in June for a return match.
Last Modified on 12/03/2015 13:11