Gold Coast junior football duo named in Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads

Two Gold Coast juniors are in line to go up against each other when the Flying Boomerangs play a World Team in two exhibition matches in Melbourne next month.

TWO Gold Coast juniors are in line to go up against each other when the Flying Boomerangs play a World Team in two exhibition matches in Melbourne next month.

Broadbeach Cats players Kaleb Baines and Jake Rogers have been named in the respective squads of 25 players ahead of the two games, to be held on July 9 and 12 at Trevor Barker Oval in melbourne.

The squads were selected following a state talent program and talent identification camp, with the players chosen based on school attendance, leadership skills, and football ability.

Baines, 15, attends A B Paterson College is in the Boomerangs squad while Rogers, 14, attends Varsity College and has been named in the World Team squad.

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The AFL Flying Boomerangs program is a personal development and leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men aged 14-16 years old.

Meanwhile the World Team is made up of the best upcoming AFL multicultural players from across the country.

The Boomerangs will fly to Melbourne on July 7 for a week-long camp where they will undergo a number of cultural, education and football training sessions, before going head-to-head in the two exhibition matches.

Broadbeach Cats player Kaleb Baines has been selected in the 2019 Rio Tinto Flying Boomerangs squad. Pictured at the selection day in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied.

AFL General Manager Game Development, Andrew Dillon, said the programs played an important role in the development of the next generation of AFL talent.

“The Rio Tinto AFL Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs are vital parts of the AFL talent pathway system and provides a great platform for the next wave of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural talent to develop not only their football skills, but leadership skills which they can take back to their local communities,” Mr Dillon said.

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“We’ve seen a number of elite AFL players come through these programs over the years and we look forward to witnessing the next stage of development for these players, coaches, and umpires when they arrive in Melbourne next month.”

AFL Queensland Diversity Talent Coordinator, Peter Yaqmoor, said each player selected has demonstrated strong football and schooling performances.

“Each player has hit the targets set by the AFL Queensland talent department and the AFL,” Mr Yagmoor said.

“I’m sure they will do Queensland proud.

“It will be a fantastic week for all of the participants as they will learn about AFL, culture and life experiences.”