South Pacific Games

The 2007 South Pacific Games were held in Apia, Samoa. Aussie Rules International had actively sought the inclusion of Australian football.

This would have not been possible in 2003 but the sport has made great strides in recent times. Six countries now have an Australian football presence - Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.

Further, through the Australian Youth Ambassadors Development (AYAD) program there have been full-time Australian football Development Officers in Tonga and Tonga, with additional officers likely to commence in other areas.

Initial discussions were very positive.

In April 2003 ARI official Brian Clarke met with the Samoan Minister for Sport, the Hon. Ulu Vaomalo Ulu Kini, in Samoa to discuss the inclusion of Australian football in the 2007 SPG.

In May 2004 Mark Korsten (Tonga Australian Football Association) met with the SPG Council Chairman, Mr. Vidhya Lakhani, in Fiji to further discuss the inclusion of the sport in 2007.

Unfortunately it was ultimately not possible to include the sport in the 2007 Games, but we will try again for 2011. The 2011 Games will be held in New Caledonia.

 

 

 

 

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