NPA State College team kicks goals in Cairns

Fifteen students from Northern Peninsula Area State College made the trip down to Cairns last week to take part in the 2023 AFLQ Schools Cup.

The students, from the school’s Bamaga and Injinoo Primary campuses, took on some of the best schools in the Cairns region at the all day AFL Gala day event.

“All of these students have been playing AFL in-school with our Game Development team, so it’s good to give them an opportunity to show off their skills in a full contact competitive AFL setting,” Cape York Development Office Kieran Sciberras said.

“The teams we bring down from Cape York and the Torres Strait are always known for their steps, speed and hard tackling and this team was no exception.”

Sulia Ingui (Injinoo Junior Campus) took home the Most Valuable Player award after dominating across the ground all day, while Clarence Kulla Kulla (Bamaga Junior Campus) won the Coaches Choice award for solid performances both on the field and during camp.

“The students also had the opportunity to train with the U13 Cape York Eagles at AFL House for Boys, where they also had a tour of the boarding facility,” he said.

“It was great to have NPA Students from AFL house on hand to present our younger ones their playing uniforms.

“All of the primary school students are either friends or relatives with our AFL House residents, so they’re amazing role models for the younger ones, showing them what can happen with hard-work and the right attitude.”

Other highlights of the trip included a dinner and tour of AFL Cape York House for Girls, attending a National Sorry Day Dinner at AFL Cape York House for Boys, watching the Indigenous South Pacific vs Cairns All Stars match in Cairns and playing for the Cairns Eagles U13 on Sunday’s match against South Cairns Cutters on Sunday.

“Three of the students selected for this team will also make the trip to the Sunshine Coast next week as part of our AFL U12 Crusaders,” he said.

“They’ll join their 19 other teammates from across the Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf Savannah regions.

“The Crusaders team is set to take on the best young AFL players in Queensland at the State School Championships.

“These opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the support of our program partners at Hinterland Aviation, Torres Strait Youth Sport and Recreational Association, Bamaga Enterprises Ltd & CEQ.”

Three debut for the Cape York Eagles

After attending the AFLQ Schools Cup in Cairns last week, three NPA State College players were selected to play for the U13 Cape York Eagles side in the AFL Cairns competition.

Jahlias Nadredre, Lucy Lifu (Bamaga Junior Campus) and Joshua Nona (Injinoo Junior Campus) pulled on their boots and wore the Eagles jumper with pride.

“The Eagles went down to the South Cairns Cutters, but it was a great learning experience for these up and coming young footballers from the NPA,” Kieran said.

Footy is back again in The Torres Strait

AFL is back again for the third week of in-school and after-school AFL programs!

Keep an eye on AFL Cape York on Facebook and afl_cape_yorkgd on Instagram for photos and updates!