Pasifika, Papua New Guinean, Torres Strait and Aboriginal junior footballers will represent their communities, cultures and countries at the first AFL Pacific Nations Challenge in Gimuy (Cairns) this weekend.
The U-17 tournament features female and male teams from Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and PNG alongside local club Cairns Lions and Cape York Crusaders.
The Crusaders bring in young First Nations footballers from Cape York, the Torres Strait Islands and remote communities in the region - many boarders at AFL Cape York house.
2025's tournament comes after the Pacific Cup on the Sunshine Coast last year.
Featuring Pacific sides, including Aotearoa/New Zealand and participation also by South Africa, 2024's male and female senior and junior tournament operated as a reformatting of the AFL International Cup, first played in 2002, with similar regional ventures taking place in Vietnam and Canada.
The inaugural U17s Challenge is set for September 12-14 with matches to be held at Buchan Street Reserve, Watsons Oval and AFL host venue Cazalys Stadium.
AFL Cape York House Foundation manager and coordinator for the Pacific Challenge Rick Hanlon told National Indigenous Times the Crusaders side, while stacked with talent, are taking part in something bigger than just football.
Hanlon said sport is the "connector".
"I talk about football being what brings us together, and how that can actually create change through connection, engagement, understanding who we are and understanding diversity," he said.
"It's more than just kicking the footy around. It's far greater than that…it's about coming together."
For many of the Crusaders players, they're continuing on from their parent's engagement with footy through AFL Cape York, which is more than 25 years old, he said.
Hanlon added it's a strong indication of work the AFL are doing in parts of the world outside of Australia.
While the Crusaders boast a number of Gold Coast Suns Academy members, he expects to see some elite potential across the tournament.
Playing as Cairns Eagles in the local competition, AFL Cape York recently claimed the U17s girls premiership to cap the 2025 season.
Head of AFL Queensland and International, Trisha Squires, agrees with the ability set to take the field.
"We have genuine talent in these Pasifika nations and through our high-performance pathway program, we want to provide opportunities for these players to showcase their ability and commitment to the game," Squires said earlier this year.
"Over the three days we will also see the Pasifika nations connect with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with many of the players coming from remote communities in Far North Queensland, the Torres Strait and Cape York.
"I have no doubt it will be a wonderful celebration, with all cultures connecting around their shared love of our great game, Australian rules football."
AFL Cairns and Cazalys Stadium general manager said the Pacific Cup will something each team involved can take pride in making happen.
"It's a credit to the collaboration and hard work of so many organisations that it's grown from last year into something even more impactful," he said.
PNG have historically been heavyweights in international Aussie rules tournaments.
National carrier Air Niugini has given significant financial support to make sure their players and staff are in Cairns this weekend.
"AFL PNG development chairman Ekonia Peni said: "I have no doubt this opportunity will be fulfilling both on and off the footy field during such a special time for our country".
"We have genuine talent in PNG, and through the work of our AFL PNG Academy programs and player pathways nationally, we want to continue providing opportunities for these coaches, umpires and players to showcase their ability and commitment to the game," he said, according to broadcaster and outlet PMG Haus Bung.
Matches start on Friday morning before medals games on Sunday, at elite football and international cricket venue Cazalys Stadium.
Fiji Hosted the AFL Oceania Cup in December last year.
The Pacific Cup is supported by Australia Government initiative PacificAus Sports.
