By Godwin Eki – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Paradise Foods Niu Kick AFL Development Program is conducting school carnivals in participating centres and has attracted more than a thousand students.
This year, the Niu Kick program visited fifty nine participating schools (primary and secondary). In the duration of six months, Paradise Foods’ Niu Kick AFL development program has involved a total of 33,329 students; 55 per cent of which were boys and 45 per cent, girls.
The Paradise Foods Niu Kick program covers six different centres, all attracting more than a thousand participants, with Lae topping the list at 12,639 students.
Development Manager, Joe Maggio, says the program is an avenue to identify and select players for next year’s Queensland state championships.
South Pacific Development Manager, Ben Drew, says the number of young players engaged in the program is overwhelming. He says so much potential is out there, even the ones who have not been exposed.
Currently, AFLPNG is visiting schools in other provinces, promoting and running similar events for participating schools. With the increasing number of participants, it is expected to triple by the end of the year.
AFLPNG is currently working to organise the Niu Kick School competition finals; starting an U17 competition in Port Moresby; and introducing the program in more provinces including, Madang, Rabaul, Central New Britain, Bialla and Central Province.
