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World XVIII’s triumphant trip to Australia shows Cope what it takes

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The last Round of the NAB Under 16 National Championship were held on Saturday and we have the latest from GB Bulldogs player Cameron Cope and the World XVIII Team, in their quest to win the Division 3 title.

 

The day before our final game against the Boomerangs:

As a team we did an early training session in fresh conditions with the fog just above the pitch, meaning visibility was low and it was slippery underfoot. This was perfect preparation for an early game the next day. In the afternoon we attended the GWS training ground for a few photos and to meet the players so we could chat about our time and experiences playing AFL. I managed to get an interview with the head coach of the Giants and shared my experience of playing AFL back in England. I shared how I started playing AFL; it is thanks to Ian Mitchell, a PE teacher along with being a player and GB captain. He has shown me the skills I needed to make it in this sport. After an eventful day talking to the media we went to the cinema to watch Superman as a team before an early night’s rest for the final game.


It is game day and I have got my eyes set on the prize of being Division 3 winners. The early morning game suited my game a lot more as I am used to playing in wet conditions. After the first quarter we were ahead by a small margin meaning our efforts needed to be increased in the next quarter. At the end of the second quarter we were creating an impressive lead but we knew the game wasn’t over until the final siren sounded. At the end of the third quarter the gap between the World team and Boomerangs was finally too big for a comeback. We kept pushing and playing our footy until we knew the final goal would be kicked.  During the final quarter of my carnival there were hard tackles going in from both teams. Further goals were kicked to make the final score 163 -33 meaning World team won the division without having lost a single game. Celebrations at the end of the game were in high spirits belting out our team song with all staff for the final time.


The day after the carnival I was sitting on Coogee beach looking at the sunrise after a run along the beach. Diligence and commitment was a key for recovery after a long 10 days footy. A quick dip into the sea is what I needed to shock the system before heading off to the Sydney derby in the afternoon. Watching the AFL match showed me how committed you need to be to make it in this sport. Seeing all the hard tackles, awesome marks and amazing athletic skills this made me realise this is what I want for my future.

 

World XVIII 25.13 (163)

Boomerangs 5.3 (33)

 

Goal Kickers included 3 from David McGivney and 2 from Colin Kenny both out of Ireland. More to come on them in the next couple of days.

 

Congratulations to the World XVIII team, undefeated. They won the Division 3 of the NAB Under 16 National Championship 2013! AFL Europe are proud of you all.

 

This Englishman is Cope-ing well in Australia

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Cameron Cope tells us about his experience after winning his first game with the Word XVIII team in the 2013 NAB U/16 National Championship:

The day after the game, we trained and we did a recovery session in the coldest pool in Australia at the Crowne Plaza. At night, we went bowling as a team for a fun night out.

Tuesday, we did a recovery session with the fitness coach and went to training to work onto set ups in certain circumstances along with a session in the pool for our muscles to recover. We did a gym session to show us how to warm up the muscles before a big session; the session was aimed at technique. We trained how an AFL player would. We also went sightseeing as a team in Sydney.

On game day, we had a late start as we went for a media opportunity with the GWS Giants and I managed to get interviewed by the head coach. In preparation for the game we went for a warm up before the team meeting to see where we can improve in the game. We viewed footage of our last game with a one to one feedback from the coach.

Wednesday the 10th July, for their second game, the World XVIII team defeated the South Pacific 142-30. The last game is this Saturday and if the teams wins they will take out the Division 3 title! Leave your words of support on our facebook page.

World XVIII 22.10 (142)
South Pacific 4.6 (30)

GOALS
World XVIII: Mostert 6, Sokoyi 5, Jok 3, Moussalli 2, Paligorov 2, Kerbatieh, Moshoeshoe, Sekori, Mamur
South Pacific: Siwee 2, Havea, Morehari

BEST
World XVIII: Mostert, Volker, Kerbatieh, Sokoyi, Aujla, Jok
South Pacific: Ngata, Misioli, Clark, Havea, Tirang

Four Europeans make World XVIII team

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In a first for AFL Europe and the region, 4 players have been selected to represent the World XVIII in the 2013 NAB U/16 National Championships in Australia this July. In a show of the progression being made in Europe and the work of the talent staff, coaches and benefits of the Easter Series the record 4 players will arrive in Sydney in early July for a short training camp before taking on the best kids in Australia and the Pacific.

Meet the representatives:

Cameron Cope

AFL Europe Headshots

DOB: 8/10/1994

Height: 180cm

Weight: 75kg

An explosive athlete that has learnt the game in the English equivalent of a football factory under coach Ian Mitchell in Wolverhampton. Cameron has represented England at the Euro Cup and is sure to be a star of the national team for many years to come. His performances at the 2013 AFL Europe Combine in Ireland and then the Easter Series have shown that he has all the tools to impress on the trip to Australia and is sure turn some heads with his blistering pace and athletic jump.

Victor Petersen

AFL Europe Headshots

Our youngest ever representative on the European Legion team in 2013 Victor made a big first impression. His work throughout the week and willingness to learn puts him on a path to follow in the footsteps of Danish trailblazers like Aksel Bang and Mikkel Kjoege that have made the trip to Australia before him. His big frame and strength over the ball will be a feature and with good pedigree (Dad still plays in the DAFL) he is one to watch as a future leader of the Danish Vikings.

Club: Farum Cats

DOB: 23/8/1996

Height: 186cm

Weight: 81kg

Colin Kenny

Colin

Colin came to the attention of our talent identification team in Ireland during his school, Gallen CS’ run to All Ireland victory. An outstanding athlete he has won county U14 and U16 Gaelic Football titles with his club, but he has also impressed on the Rugby field. This year he has been a part of Connacht Rugby’s U-16 Development squad, something which should aid him tremendously in adapting to the oval ball and mean the tackle will not present him with any fears.

Club: Ferbane/Belmont GAA(Offaly)

DOB: 18/1/1997

Height: 185cm

Weight: 89kg

 

David McGivney

mcgivney

It’s been quite a start to 2013 for David McGivney, in February he was part of the Longford Vocational Schools team which won the Leinster Championship, a month later he captained his school Cnoc Mhuire, Granard to a one point win in the All Ireland U18 Final in Croke Park, and he has been dominating in his second year on the Longford Minor team. All of that success has followed on from a League and Championship double with his U16 Club team, Northern Gaels in 2012. David has shown tremendous leadership for such a young player and will bring height, determination and tremendous stamina to the World XVIII this year. His neighbour from Longford, Michael Quinn holds the distinction of having the fastest debut in the AFL for Essendon, who knows maybe this young man is set to follow in his footsteps.

Club: Northern Gaels GAA(Longford)

DOB: 9/2/1996

Height: 189cm

Weight: 90kg