An action packed week is on offer as AFL Comes Alive in Cairns this week.
Buying your match day tickets
General admission tickets are still available for the Toyota AFL Premiership match between Richmond and the Gold Coast SUNS to be played at 4.40pm on Saturday, 14 July 2012 at Cazalys Stadium. Prices are: Adults $22.50; kids U15 years $5 and families of four $45. Booking fees apply dependent of method of purchase. Drop into Cazalys Social Club, visit www.ticketdirect.com.au (link) or call 1300 798 550.
Buy now to avoid queues and to take advantage of the free public transport on match day.
Go to here for further information on free public transport and getting to and from Cazalys Stadium on match day.
What’s On As AFL Comes Alive in Cairns
SUNDAY 8 JULY 2012
Kicking off the week is a series of matches to be played between a combined U17 years Gold Coast SUNS Academy team and Geelong College, with the first match to be played at 6.30pm Sunday at Crathern Park. The Academy squad of 38 will include players from Mackay, Capricornia, Townsville and Cairns, in a three game series of invitation matches to be played between today and Saturday 14 July.
TUESDAY 10 JULY 2012
Nathan Bock and Daniel Gorringe from the Gold Coast SUNS and AFL General Manager of National and International Development, Andrew Dillon, will travel to Bamaga. The group will spend two days with communities in the Cape delivering the No Boundaries Partnership program with AFL Cape York, NPA College and the Northern Peninsula Area Council. Now in its second year, the program is supported by FaHCSIA and uses AFL as the vehicle to encourage and reward attendance at school, community participation and leadership development for young boys and girls from the region.
The GC SUNS Academy team will play it’s second match against Geelong College at 3pm at Watsons Oval. The Academy squad will mostly be made up of players from Townsville and Mackay.
WEDNESDAY 11 JULY 2012
Over 300 students from 12 schools in the Tropical North will converge on Cairns on Wednesday for a five day competition played at Watsons Oval. The North Queensland Secondary Schools Cup (NQSSC) is a round robin format with the grand final played as the curtain raiser to the AFL Premiership match on Saturday.
The schools are: St Augustines College, Bentley Park College, Trinity Bay SHS, Kirwan College (Townsville), Smithfield SHS, Djarragun College, Mossman SHS, Cairns SHS, St Andrews College, William Ross SHS (Townsville) Pioneer SHS (Mackay), Ignatius Park College (Townsville).The competition this year also includes a round robin for four female teams: Cairns SHS, Djarragun College, Trinity Bay SHS, and St Monicas.
No Boundaries Partnership program continues in Cape York with school visits, AFL clinics and presentations to assemblies. The players and officials will meet with NPARC Councillors and the Mayor who will attend a No School, No Play carnival for youth teams at New Mapoon Oval, followed by a community BBQ.
THURSDAY 12 JULY 2012
The NQSSC continues with all students also involved in a Try-a-Trade expo on Thursday. Coordinated by AFL Cape York and supported by VPG, TAFE and Skills 360 the expo will include displays from the following industries: sport & recreation, hospitality, automotive, construction (bricklaying,electrical, metal fabrication, excavation); hair & beauty; Indigenous Youth Mobility; Police; Defence Forces; Channel 7; Skills 360; Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG); AFL Sports Ready and Coles Employment teams.
Richmond and Gold Coast SUNS players will be involved in a leadership forum on Thursday night for young players. About 40 male and female players aged from 13 to 17 years will spend a couple of hours learning about what makes a good leader.
This event is by invitation only.
FRIDAY 13 JULY 2012
On Friday, fans in Cairns will have plenty of chances to meet players and officials from Richmond and the Gold Coast SUNS. The main attraction will be the free AFL Fan Day at Cazalys from 3pm until 6pm. Featuring team training sessions, autograph signings with both Richmond and Gold Coast SUNS players, the AFL Playground, a SEA FM broadcast and team merchandise stalls, it will be a great afternoon for fans of all ages. Match day tickets sales will also be available at the Tills Street Ticket Box so you can pre-purchase in preperation for the match and aviod queuing on the day.
The semi-finals of the NQSSC will be played at Watsons Oval from 2.30pm.
Richmond and the Gold Coast SUNS also have supporter functions on Friday night.
Richmond: 7-9pm at North Cairns Tigers AFC, Manunda. $30 per person, limited numbers so bookings are essential. Call Richmond Member services on 1300 742 466 during business hours.
Gold Coast SUNS: 6.30 – 8.00pm at The Hilton, Cairns. For details call 5510 6000 during business hours.
A free Coaches Forum will be held as part of a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation Course, with presentations from Richmond and GC SUNS assistant coaches and former AFL recruiter Noel Judkins. For information call 4042 3000.
SATURDAY 14 JULY 2012 – MATCH DAY
The final match in the three game invitation series between the GC SUNS Academy and Geelong College will be played at 10am at Griffith Park.
Cazalys Stadium hosts the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Match under lights between Richmond and the Gold Coast SUNS as AFL Comes Alive in Cairns.
1:15pm – North Queensland Secondary Schools Cup Grand Final begins
1:30pm – Official AFL Function commences. This event is SOLD OUT
2:00pm – Gates open at Cazalys Stadium.
AFL Playground opens – free until end of half time. Team merchandise sales, SEA FM broadcast.
4:10pm – Pre match entertainment including Greg Champion.
4:40pm – Toyota AFL Premiership Match: Richmond v Gold Coast SUNS
7:25pm – Traditional post match kick to kick on the oval. BYO football!
