The Papua New Guinea Men’s national AFL team PNG Mosquitos are gearing up for the 2024 Pacific Cup to maintain their tittle as the champions.
The Mozies are the curent champions after defeating New Zealand in 2017.
Queensland will play host to Australian rules football with an international flavour when around 500 people representing teams from across the Pacific region descend on Maroochydore in November.
AFL Head of Participation and International, James Ceely, said: “The AFL is thrilled to confirm the location and dates for the 2024 Pacific Cup, which gives competing teams and their players and officials plenty to look forward to.”
The 2024 Pacific Cup on the Sunshine Coast is one of the three regional championships to be played this year – along with the Transatlantic Cup (Canada, August) and the Asia Cup (location TBC, November) – as part of a refreshed AFL-sanctioned international program.
The Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, along with the Sunshine Coast Council, have partnered with the AFL and thrown their support behind the Pacific Cup, which is set to be a colourful and vibrant celebration of the game.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, said: “It’s terrific that the AFL 2024 Pacific Cup is heading to Maroochydore later this year, bringing hundreds of players and supporters to enjoy all of what this magnificent region has to offer.”
Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, which boasts four full-size and floodlit Australian rules football ovals and is home to the Maroochydore Roos, will be where the action takes place from November 14-24, with the competition comprising male and female Open and Under 17 divisions.
Invited nations include Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, South Africa, Samoa and Solomon Islands, with the final list of participating countries to be confirmed.
Players will be picked based on performances in domestic competitions. Each team will manage their own selection processes, with AFL-mandated criteria being that each player must be a citizen of the country they are representing.