VIDEO: see the fresh faces and rising stars of Pacific AFL

VIDEO: see the fresh faces and rising stars of Pacific AFL

Young AFL stars from across the Pacific and South Africa came together on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to showcase their skills, culture, and passion for the game. Watch our video for insights and highlights from the AFL Pacific Cup, where national pride soared, friendships were forged, and the next generation of footy talent shone.

(Spoiler alert, the PNG Kurakums took out the title in the U17 women’s division, and the Nauru Stars claimed victory in the U17 men’s.)

Transcript

Narrator [00:00:00] How did this footy star go from playing as a teenager in Papua New Guinea to being selected for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL? And how do other players from the South Pacific follow in his footsteps? To find out, let's start in Vanuatu. Australian rules football has been growing in popularity here since being introduced in 2006 and now a new era has kicked off with the launch of the AFL Vanuatu Talent Academy. Now it's all about nurturing the next generation of young stars, both male and female.

Max Willis, Australian High Commissioner, Vanuatu [00:00:36] Sport is deeply embedded in the culture and the identity of both Australia and Vanuatu.

Narrator [00:00:44] Vanuatu joins Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru in establishing a talent academy made possible by the AFL and the Australian Government's High Performance Pacific sports program. Having the skills is one thing, showing them off is another. And that's what brings us to Queensland's Sunshine Coast. This holiday hotspot is playing host to not just talent but culture for the AFL Pacific Cup.

Trish Squires, AFL Queensland [00:01:18] In our Pacific countries, we have over 100,000 participants - 45% of them are women and girls. So they're playing Aussie Rules at home and we want to bring them to Australia to showcase how good they are.

Narrator [00:01:32] The teams from Fiji, PNG, Nauru, Tonga and even South Africa went head to head proving the growing reach of the Aussie code. There is real skill on show here demonstrating the value of the regional talent academies.

Ben Drew, AFL International Development Manager [00:01:47] They are so important, they're a development pathway for our youth. We're really focussed on our 15 to 17-18 year olds and providing them an opportunity to come and play and develop and grow.

Narrator [00:01:59] One of the best examples of the power of sporting pathways is Hewago Paul Oea or as the AFL world knows him, 'Ace'.

News broadcast 1 [00:02:06] The Gold Coast Suns Academy have signed the teenager from PNG.

News broadcast 2 [00:02:09] He's a young star. This boy had the silky clean hands. He was quick. He was the boy with the dancing feet.

Hewago Paul Oea [00:02:15] Three, five years ago I was playing – like [the 14 to 17-year-olds playing now]. I came through the Academy way, and [I was] lucky enough to get a scholarship with the Gold Coast Suns.

Narrator [00:02:26] In 2022 he made history as the first player to come through a development pathway, learning the game outside of Australia to earn a senior game in the AFL, running out against Collingwood and scoring a goal in the first quarter.

Hewago Paul Oea [00:02:45] Every kid growing up wants to play AFL and you know, playing against Collingwood – they’re one of the top four teams in the competition, and to make my debut against Collingwood was pretty special.

Narrator [00:02:56] For these young players, following in Ace's footsteps is more than just a goal. It's a possibility. Ace was on the sidelines as the girls from PNG, the Karakums, clinched the under 17 championship - a victory celebrated as much by the boys as the girls.

Hewago Paul Oea [00:03:19] The country is watching you. Be proud of yourself. Well done, champions.

Narrator [00:03:24] In the boys competition, the Nauru Stars were crowned champions - a big deal in a country where Australian rules football is the national sport, despite the fact it's played on gravel.

Kaz Cain, Nauru Team Manager [00:03:37] You get a lot of scratches, a lot of bruises and it's kind of new for the kids and for those that are first time here to play on grass.

Narrator [00:03:48] But the Pacific Cup isn't just about competition. It's about connection.

Hewago Paul Oea [00:03:54] It's good to bring all the Pacific Islanders together and to see the kids just running around. They never see each other before and to see them smiling and talking is - it's pretty special for all the nations here.

Trish Squires, AFL Queensland [00:04:08] We've seen our neighbouring countries all form somebonds. What I think all sports do, whether it's AFL or other codes, is bring people together.