The AFL Cape York youth players impressed with their skills on the paddock after making the almost 2,000-kilometre round trip to Cairns to compete in the AFLQ Schools Cup. Photo: Supplied.
Despite enduring a round trip of nearly 2,000 kilometres to take to the paddock, 36 boys from the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area impressed with their skills and sportsmanship during the recent AFLQ Schools Cup in Cairns.
AFL Cape York took two northern teams to the showdown, a junior line-up comprising grade 7-8 students, and a youth team featuring grade 9-10 students.
The junior team returned home with two wins, a draw and a loss from its four clashes, while the youth boys won their first game before narrowly losing their next two.
AFL Cape York works with partner schools to select students based on behaviour and attendance first, and football skills second, and development co-ordinator Kieran Sciberras praised the performances of players on and off the field.
“I don’t think the boys actually realise how well they’re playing together as a team,” he said.
“For a group of young men who don’t even have an AFL field on their islands, to come together and hold their own against the best AFL schools in Cairns is truly impressive.
“Some of our boys have played in this carnival at younger age groups or within our Crusaders representative program, but for others, this is their first time playing on a full-size AFL oval.”
Mr Sciberras said it was rewarding to see the impact the sport was having on students.
“Being told firsthand by parents, teachers and families about what a positive impact this program is having is special,” he said.
“It’s a great way to offer these young people positive life experiences while reinforcing our core values of respect, responsibility and pride.”
Mitchell Suthers received the AFLQ Schools Cup Medal for player of the carnival, while Curtis Warusam and Brendan Luffman won the AFL Cape York Most Valuable Player medals.
The AFL Cape York junior boys team in Cairns. Photo: Supplied.
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