Page 27 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

TOWNSVILLE SHINES AT INDIGENOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Townsville capped off a series of major events in 2013 by hosting the U15 National KickStart Championships at Tony Ireland Stadium in April.
Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales/ Australian Capital Territory and Victoria/Tasmania competed in the four day round robin tournament with Western Australia claiming the title for the third year running over perennial bridesmaid, Victoria.
This year, players from the Pacific region took part in the KickStart Championships, competing in their own round robin tournament. The best players then took the stage in an All-Stars game against the tournament’s Indigenous All-Stars.
The KickStart program uses Australian football as a vehicle for education, employment, health and participation outcomes for Indigenous people.
The KickStart program and Championships provide further development opportunities for other parts of the football industry such as umpiring, coaching and administration with local Indigenous people engaged in these leadership positions for each team.
During the Championships participants also met Indigenous AFL players and engaged in leadership seminars.
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KICKSTART CHAMPIONSHIPS