Page 95 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

NORTHERN RIVERS
January saw the extension of our inaugural summer program
with 40 boys aged 12-15 continuing on for 6 weeks. This culminated in the selection of our 2012 SEQ Country Championship representative side.
In February the Northern Rivers hosted the Gold Coast SUNS Australia Post Community camp. Community events and school visits were conducted from Byron Bay to Casino, enabling the Game Development team to reach over 10,000 participants.
In March the PSSA school boy trials were held throughout the region. Seven representatives for the Northern Rivers were selected in their respective regional sides (the most ever), highlighting the strengthening of the game within the region. The boys went on to the carnival held in Griffith in April and did themselves, and their schools, proud.
In May we saw the finale to a long summer program with the Under 14 Northern Rivers Storm competing in the SEQ Country Champs held in Toowoomba. It was the regions strongest showing yet, the Storm winning one game and narrowly losing a second.
June saw six Northern Rivers representatives head to the state Under 16 carnival as part of the Gold Coast team. All boys performed well with many of them being named in the squad’s best performed.
August was finals time and the grand final held at the regions premier ground - Oaks Oval - once again saw great crowds and media support, yet more evidence of the growing strength of the AFL brand in the Northern Rivers. Ballina Bombers were successful in all grades.
In October our girls participated in the State Under 17 State Championships in Cairns. Eight representatives gained State selection, proving youth girls football is alive and strong in Northern NSW.
November came, marking the end of the Game Development census year. The Northern Rivers again topped 7,500 participants, showing that the foundations have been laid for tremendous transition in the year ahead.
Bring on 2013!
BRENT KELLY
NORTHERN RIVERS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
AFL Queensland
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