PNG U16 Binatangs visit Cairns
As part of the lead up to their bigger mission in Townsville, the
Papua New Guinea team has accepted the challenge of playing a combined
U16/U18 team from Pyramid Power Junior AFL club in Gordonvale, 25
kilometres south of Cairns.
Pyramid Power is one of the newest clubs in the AFL Cairns
Juniors, but has already been active in the world of international
Australian Rules football. Their “Brother Club” project has seen them
interact with clubs overseas, so this opportunity is an extension of
their international dealings.
The game will be played at Power Park, the home ground of
Pyramid Power. This will be the first time an international match from
any football code will have been played in the sugar town of Gordonvale.
To mark the event, the local community plans to provide
entertainment and a barbecue for the visiting Binatangs squad, as well
as holding another International Day where kids can have a kick in
donated footy jumpers from clubs all over the world.
Ben Drew, the AFL Development Officer for the Pacific region,
worked closely with AFL Cairns Juniors and Pyramid Power to ensure the
opportunity for the PNG Binatangs came to fruition.
Sean Hunter, the Acting Operations manager for AFL Cairns, sees
this game as a “great initiative”. PNG Binatangs coach, Murray Bird, is
also upbeat about the opportunity, saying that the players “are looking
forward to coming to Gordonvale [and] would really appreciate it”.
Pyramid Power president, Brett Kennerley, sees this as a “unique event” and a ‘huge opportunity” for the teams and AFL Cairns.
Whilst there are no immediate plans for a follow up event, this
“friendly” between the Papua New Guinea team and a Cairns based club
could pave the way for a more permanent connection between the two
locations. It may also be a step towards Cairns becoming a focal point
for all visiting countries from the Oceania/Pacific region.
After this match, the PNG Binatangs will hop back on the bus and
travel south to Townsville to compete in the South Pacific Cup in
conjunction with the U15 Kickstart Championships from Monday 8th to
Friday 12th April.
The PNG Binatangs v Pyramid Power match will be on Sunday 7th
April at 10.00am. Both teams welcome anyone who will be in Cairns that
day and want to come and see the awesome talent on display.
WFN
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