By Shenae Holloway
AFL Queensland has named the state team to compete at the National Inclusion Carnival in June.
The side was selected following a trial game between teams from the Gold Coast and Brisbane at Broadbeach on Saturday.
The match was a curtain closer to the Broadbeach Cats home fixtures.
AFL Gold Coast Development Coordinator Tim Searl said the trial game had been a great success.
“Everybody enjoyed the day; not just the players and their parents but the Broadbeach members too,” Searl said.
The athletes all showed tremendous team spirit at the trial game, with four Gold Coast players volunteering to play for Brisbane in order to make it an even playing field.
Best on the ground was awarded to Bradley Lawrence, with good performances from Ben Haack, Kai Armstrong, and Luke O’Neil.
“The support from the Broadbeach players has been great, the seniors even lined up to high five the boys as they ran out to play their trial game,” Searl said.
A squad of 18 players and four coaching and support staff will head to Melbourne June 18 to 23.
This is the first time Queensland has competed in the National Inclusion Carnival.
“Hopefully we can go away and have a bit of fun, that’s what it’s all about,” Searl said.
While AFL Queensland, National Australia Bank, Westpac, and Life Stream have all donated much needed funds to transport the players to Melbourne, they have yet to reach their goal.
Gaining more support for the inclusion program is vital for the team to participate in the carnival.
Queensland Inclusion Squad
Ben Haack
Bradley Lawrence
Cameron Hunter
Connor Dixon
Dane Palmer
Jake Bell
John Lawrence
Josh McGrath
Kai Armstrong
Kieran Landells
Luke O’Neil
Matt Brown
Peter Nyp
Shaun McKee
Tim Gould
Tom Russo
Zac Holzberger
Zac Kimber
Training for the State Inclusion team will be held at 9:00am on the following dates:
4, 11, 18, 25 May and 1, 8, 15 June.
For more information please contact Tim Searl.
