The AFL is pleased to announce the 2019 Inclusion All-Australian squad following the 2019 AFL National Inclusion Carnival held in Blacktown, New South Wales last week.
The respective squad of 26 men has been chosen based on each player’s demonstration of the AFL’s values, that being Play to Win, Play Fair, Play with Passion and Play as One Team.
Victoria Country coach Steven Reeves and Northern Territory coach Nick Eades will lead the squad after being selected as the All-Australian coaches.
For the first time, the All-Australian squad will travel to Brisbane to take part in an exhibition match at the 2019 INAS Global Games in October.
Held every four years, the INAS Global Games is the largest sporting event for elite athletes with intellectual disability, with more than 1000 athletes from across the world set to take part in the event this year.
The All-Australian squad will be divided into two teams of 13 and play against each other in a feature match which will provide them with an opportunity to showcase their talent on a global stage.
AFL General Manager Game Development, Andrew Dillon congratulated each player selected in the AFL Inclusion All-Australian squad following another successful National Inclusion Carnival.
“The 2019 AFL National Inclusion Carnival was another terrific event which provided the nation’s top footballers with the opportunity to showcase their skills, in what was a week of highlights both on and off the field.
“Each player selected in the All-Australian squad performed consistently across the entire Carnival and fully deserves their position in the team,” Mr. Dillon said.
“I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the participants, coaches, umpires and volunteers who did an outstanding job throughout Carnival, which was no doubt a memorable occasion for all involved.”
The annual AFL National Inclusion Carnival brings together male footballers aged 16 years and over with an intellectual disability from across the country to take part in a week-long carnival with teams representing the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, and Western Australia.
After a Lightning competition and three-round series, it was the Northern Territory that claimed the Division 1 premiership with a win over Vic Metro, while Queensland secured the Division 2 premiership over Western Australia.
CLICK HERE for more information on the 2019 National Inclusion Carnival
2019 AFL Inclusion All-Australian squad:
BACKS:
Alan Meiklem (Vic Metro)
Dave Alford (Vic Metro)
Graydon Poulsen (Queensland)
Brad Lawrence (Queensland)
Dylan Evans (Queensland)
Dylan Pace (Tasmania)
Zac Georg-Dent (South Australia)
Shaun Doll (Vic Country)
Byron Mayo (Northern Territory)
Aaron Knight-Nilsson (Northern Territory)
MIDS:
Tyson Worthington (Western Australia)
Lyndsy Ashworth (Western Australia)
Hary Hunter (Vic Country)
Yaser Shubeilat (Vic Metro)
Craig Blaschke (Tasmania)
Jerry Lowe (Tasmania)
Peter Apuatimi (Northern Territory)
Sevastien Camilleri (NSW/ACT)
FORWARDS:
David Hallows (Western Australia)
Travis Baxtor (Northern Territory)
Damien Clarke (Vic Metro)
James McKay (NSW/ACT)
Cameron Gugdeon (NSW/ACT)
Rhys Baker (South Australia)
Jesse Goodman (South Australia)
Jackson Reeves (Vic Country)
COACHES:
Steven Reeves (Vic Country)
Nick Eades (Northern Territory)
The AFL acknowledges the NSW Government, Blacktown City Council, International Day of People with Disability, MatchWorks, GWS GIANTS Football Club and Novotel Sydney at West HQ for their support of the 2019 AFL National Inclusion Carnival.
*PHOTO: The 2019 AFL Inclusion All-Australian squad. Please contact AFL Game Development Publicist Kirstie Fitzgerald for any photo/media requests.
