In a unique partnership between an Australian State League club and an International team due to compete at this year’s AFL International Cup, the Swan Districts Football Club from the Western Australian Football League (WAFL) have thrown their support behind the South African Lions International Cup squad for IC11.

The Lions arrived in Perth on Friday July 29 for a 12 day development tour which will include two practise matches and a series of training sessions and coaching workshops, all under the watchful eye of Swan Districts FC.

A brainchild of former Swans boss Brendan Parker, who helped the SA Lions prepare for the 2008 International Cup, the Lions tour of WA provides a real opportunity for the players to develop and learn from experienced AFL campaigners such as Swans Coaching & Talent Manager Adrian Hickmott.

The Lions first game on Sat July 30 was a curtain-raiser to a WAFL fixture between Swan Districts and East Fremantle in the remote community of Karratha in the State’s far north.

With 7 players to join the squad in Sydney ahead of IC11, the Lions were overpowered by a strong North Pilbara Under 21 rep team, who ran out comfortable winners by 80 points, but the result was not nearly as important as the opportunity that the Swans have provided for a new look SA Lions team to gain valuable match practise and experience another part of the world.

The 2011 Lions squad of 28 includes 19 new faces from the 2008 line-up, evidence of an emerging crop of exciting new players groomed through the footyWILD program, across 4 Provinces of South Africa.

“After a long haul flight from South Africa via Kuala Lumpur to Perth on Friday and an early flight to Karratha on Saturday morning, our boys were a very tired bunch after the tough game against a superior Pilbara team,” said Tour Leader Phindile Khambule.

“But they’ll be much better for the run and we’re looking forward to running some footyWILD clinics South African style and big week of training and coaching sessions with Swan Districts who have been fantastic in their support so far”, said Phindi. “We will learn heaps and bond together as a team before we head to Sydney”.

The Lions treated the Swan Districts senior team to a footyWILD Big 5 clinic near Karratha on Sunday with plenty of song and dance to go with the Big 5 skills.

The Lions next game will be against a combined Swans Colts & Reserves team next Saturday Aug 6 in Perth to coincide with Swans Bye round in the WAFL. Joining the Lions for the week ahead, will be star mid-fielder Bayanda Sobetwa from Khayelitsha township near Cape Town and Kwa Zulu Natal rover Mlungisi Manyoni who arrived from South Africa on Sunday.

Game 1 in Karratha, WA
North Pilbara U21 16.13.109 def South Africa Lions 4.5.29

SA Lions
Goal Kickers: Benjamin Motuba 2, Athenkosi Madikane 1, Tshepiso Mogapi 1
Best Players: Tshepiso Mogapi, Thando Dlamini, Malibongwe Mlami