2011 Pacific Games

The Pacific Games (formerly the South Pacific Games) occur every four years, with the next being held in New Caledonia in 2011.

The competing countries are New Caledonia, Fiji, Nauru, Tahiti, PNG, Samoa, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Wallis & Futuna, Vanuatu, Northern Marianas, Tonga, Palau, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and the Cook Islands. Norfolk Island also competes as a separate region.

Many Pacific nations have modelled their sports programs on Aussie Sport, and the interest generated by the inclusion of Australian football at the Pacific Games would be the perfect opportunity to introduce Auskick or a similar junior program.

Under the Pacific Games Charter a minimum of 6 countries must be able to field teams. Currently Nauru, Samoa, PNG, Tonga and the Solomon Islands all play Australian football.

ARI will lobby the organisers for the inclusion of Australian football as a demonstration sport. Mal Michael (PNG/Essendon) and David Rodan (Fiji/Port Adelaide) will be approached as ambassadors for the bid to include Australian football in the 2011 Pacific Games.

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