Australian Rules Football without an Australian on the field will draw spectators to the Sunshine Coast this week as the AFL goes international.
The 2024 Pacific Cup will feature six international Australian Rules Football teams playing across a number of divisions.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford said it was an exciting opportunity for the Sunshine Coast to be part of the AFL’s new international regional championships.
Cr Hungerford said the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, which boasted four full-size footy ovals, would host the action, with the 10-day carnival comprising male and female Open and Under 17 divisions.
He said teams from Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and South Africa would be competing.
“The popularity of the Sunshine Coast as a location for international standard events are a direct reflection of our quality facilities such as the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex,” Cr Hungerford said.
AFL Head of International Trisha Squires said the 2024 Pacific Cup allowed the six competing nations to be back involved in an international event after a long period without being able to compete against each other.
“The Pacific has been one of the strongest international regions for Australian Rules Football and the footy on show in Maroochydore promises to be highly entertaining,” Ms Squires said.
She said the Under 17 teams competed between last Thursday and yesterday (Sunday) with the senior competitions run from today (Monday), with the finals on Sunday, November 24.
