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Welcome to World Footy News Thursday, April 25 2024 @ 01:19 pm ACST

Four Canadians make AFL World XVIII

North America

The AFL has selected the World XVIII squad (Under 18s) to compete in the Under 16 championships against Australian states. worldfootynews.com will have details of other country selections soon, but for now, Canada's representatives...

AFL Canada is pleased to advise that 4 players have been selected by the Australian Football League to be part of the 30 player squad to represent the inaugural Under 18 World XVIII that will compete in the NAB State under 16 championships to be held in Melbourne & Sydney, Australia from June 27th - July 11th.

The initial 4 players selected were Riyad Karacic (Etobicoke Kangaroos, pictured left), James Duggan (Toronto Dingos) in Toronto Ontario, Clayton Lund and Andrew Roosdahl both from Vancouver, British Columbia. Unfortunately James Duggan will not be able to attend and he has been replaced by John Elliott (pictured right) also of the Etobicoke Kangaroos.

The players will travel to Australia prior to June 27th and attend a week long training camp and practise games in Melbourne before heading to Sydney where they will compete in Division 2 against New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania and a Pacific XVIII team.

Canada has been able to provide more players than any other country in the Northern hemisphere and equal the amount with Southern hemisphere powerhouse South Africa which is a great achievement considering the vast difference in budget and under age players between the 2 countries.

All players will undertake an extensive fitness and skills program in the lead up to the trip. This will help them to prepare for the experience of playing against the cream of Australia's up and coming Australian Footballers who are all vying to be selected in the 2012 AFL draft.

With the AFL introducing the World XVIII into the Division 2 NAB under 16 championships on an annual basis, it provides young Australian Footballers from Canada the opportunity to not only represent this team, but also is a great pathway to the Canadian under 23 team and the senior "Northwind" program.