The next wave of Pacific AFL talent will be on show at the South Pacific Cup in Coffs Harbour later this week.
Players from Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu have been selected in an Under 16 Oceania squad to compete alongside Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australian State teams.
AFL Pacific Development Officer Ben Drew, who will be coaching the Oceania team, says the carnival is a great opportunity for players to press their claims to be involved in the Senior International Cup later this year.
"The age limit is 16 and over so there are, especially in some of the smaller countries - Vanuatu and Tonga that are a lot smaller in volume within the AFL structure - they would have a lot of their younger kids playing at the International Cup level, which is really exciting for them and it gives them a goal as well. It's not just about the South Pacific and coming over here, they can actually represent their own country at the International Cup."
The Oceania and PNG teams take part in combine testing on Friday before playing their first matches at the weekend.
