14th August, 2008




The inaugural AFL South Africa footyWILD National Championships and footyWILD National Talent Camp, proudly supported by Grandslots, have just wrapped up to resounding success for all involved.

Held at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom from Saturday 5th �?? Tuesday 8th July 2008, the event gave passionate footyWILD players from across South Africa the chance to compete in a high profile and professional environment whilst taking part in important skills development and capacity building workshops and activities.

KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape and North West Province each fielded a footyWILD High (High School Age) and footyWILD Extreme (Open Age) representative team in a structured program of competition, workshops and development initiatives.

While fierce competition and hard fought matches were the highlight for many, the footyWILD National Championships, which engaged 240 players, coaches, umpires, team managers and sports scientists, also focussed on delivering social and community development activities including HIV/AIDS and substance abuse awareness and �??fair play�?? workshops.

The footyWILD High Final began with North West Province as the undisputed favourites. Early on, KwaZulu Natal showed their great fighting spirit and positive attitude, creating a small lead for themselves at half time. True to their reputation and spirit, North West Province fought back in the third quarter to reclaim the lead. At this point the crowd gathered around the ground sensed something special in the air. In the closing moments of the fourth quarter KwaZulu Natal Forward Mandalkayise Mgoduka snatched a thrilling last minute goal to clinch victory and create footyWILD history. It is a game that will be long remembered by those lucky enough to watch it. Kwa Zulu Natal 6.7.43 defeated North West 5.8.38

Mr Muzi Mthembu, KwaZulu Natal footyWILD High Coach said of his team�??s thrilling defeat of North West Province in the footyWILD High Final �??Taking the footyWILD National Title is a dream come true and today is one of the best day�??s of my life. Throughout the Championships I have been impressed with the commitment and tenacity of my team. We have proven ourselves to be worthy opponents in the National Competition. footyWILD is new to KwaZulu Natal, having only been introduced some 12 months ago, so to win against other Provinces who have been playing much longer than us is of special significance�?�.

The footyWILD Extreme Final was always going to be a tough and passionate game of football. More than half of the North West Provincial Team have been previous South African National Team members compared to only a small number on the Western Cape Team. The clash of these two teams represents some of the best South African footyWILD talent and excitement was high. From the beginning Western Cape Province fought hard to contain North West�??s attacking game. At half time, North West found themselves only marginally in front, with Western Cape maintaining consistent pressure throughout the third quarter. Western Cape remained focused on their game plan of fast, mobile football and were in still in the game at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the depth of talent and experience coupled with sheer tenacity resulted in the North West scoring a number of quick goals to put them comfortably in front. Although Western Cape demonstrated incredible gains in skills and talent development in a short space of time, North West were ultimately crowned the inaugural footyWILD Extreme Champions. History in the making. North West 9.11.65 defeated Western Cape 4.9.33.

Mr. Reginald Mokotedi, North West Provincial Coach said of his team being crowned the inaugural footyWILD Extreme National Champions �??I am personally delighted to be involved with this team and so proud of their win. The last 10 years of my involvement with footy in the North West Province have been some of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life and winning the footyWILD Extreme National Title in its first year is testament to the commitment and dedication of not only this team, but of all the coaches and volunteers who work together to make this Provincial Development Area as great as it is�??

A jam-packed and varied program of activities and exciting competition kept the teams very busy over the championship period and culminated in the announcement of a 25 man squad for the 2008 South African �??Lions�?� National Team which will head to Melbourne, Australia in August to participate in the AFL International Cup against other teams from around the world.

2008 is the third Australian Football International Cup and after 11 nations competed in both 2002 and 2005, this year�??s event will feature 18 teams, reflecting the growth of AFL in the international arena over the past decade.

The newly selected squad stayed on in Potchefstroom for a couple of days at the conclusion of the footyWILD National Championships for the National Talent Camp to undertake High Performance testing, team building and social development activities. From the testing conducted at the National Talent Camp, players will be given individual fitness and skills training programs to follow in preparation for the International Cup.

Skipper of the South African Lions AFL team to compete at this year�??s AFL International Cup, Mtutuzeli Hlomela first went to Australia on a �??football scholarship�?? in 1997 only to find out he was actually identified by Sturt Football Club (SANFL) for Aussie Rules, not soccer, his natural sport of more than a decade. Much to his own surprise he came to love the Aussie game and is now one the pioneering leaders of the code in his native land,

�??This is the very first time that we have conducted a National Championships involving all four Provinces participating in the Australian game in this country �?? the result was an outstanding celebration of all that is great about �??footyWILD�?? in South Africa �?? almost 200 players from townships far and wide played hard but fair, there was plenty of song and dance and you could really sense that we are now much closer to unearthing the sort of raw talent that I just know is out there�?�, said Mtutu.

�??The train-on camp following the National Champs provided a terrific opportunity for footyWILD players to vie for National selection and we are now confident we have the very best squad possible for this year�??s International Cup.

Kevin Sheedy told us during the AIS tour to South Africa earlier this year to �??know and love the ball�?� and that�??s exactly what we intend to do �?? for our players to have a footy in their hands 24/7 will be the best education they can get leading in to this year�??s Cup�?�, added Mtutu.

The Association for the Reduction of Tobacco-related Harm (ARTH), AusAID (the Australian Government�??s Agency for International Development) Costa Logistics support AFL SA and footyWILD across South Africa. Grandslots are the major partner for the National Championships.

Giovanni Rizzo, Group General Manager, Grandslots said �??Grandslots is extremely proud, and excited to be investing in the development of footyWILD in this country and at being a Major partner of the inaugural footyWILD National Championships. With major ties to Australia, through Tattersalls, it seems only fitting for us to assist in raising the profile of Aussie Rules across South Africa�?�

Event Details

When: Saturday 5th �?? Tuesday 8th July, 2008

Where: Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

About footyWILD and AFL South Africa

footyWILD is a breathtaking sport that combines the sublime kicking skills of soccer, the powerful tackling of rugby, the speed and agility of athletics and the aerial grace of basketball. Based on the Australian Rules Football (AFL) footyWILD attracts some 8,000 participants nationally with growth underpinned by a quality participation model extending from an introductory skills program for boys and girls through to Regional, Provincial and National leagues/competitions, International Cup Tours, national workshops and talent camps.

Results

footyWILD High (Secondary Schools) �?? Consolation Final

Western Cape 9.6.60 defeated Gauteng 1.2.8

Best Players

Western Cape: Sikhulile Gamakhulu, Lebohang Lepheane, Sinethemba Dubulekwele, Siyabulela Maqethula, Lwando Nkqayana, Ayabulela Mphotye

Gauteng: Dalfon Stoffberg, Orders Sekete, Happy Mtshali, Sipho Phokola, Lebo Mmoneng, Glen Makgakwa

Goal-kickers

Western Cape: Lwando Nkqayana(3), Sikhulile Gamakhulu(2), Akhona Bhungqu(2), Nkosinathi Mana(1), Thembelani Jwara(1),

Gauteng: Orders Sekete(1)

footyWILD High (Secondary Schools) - Grand Final

Kwa Zulu Natal 6.7.43 defeated North West 5.8.38

Best Players

Kwa Zulu Natal: Thembinkosi Zwane, Nkululeko Ngcobo, Freedom Gumede, Mandlakayise Mgoduka, Sanele Ngema, Njabulo Ngcobo

North West: Monnapula Motuba, Mokaleng Itumeleng, Motang Nicolas, Mongwegi Joseph, Abueng Senyadi, Sediti Thapelo

Goal kickers:

Kwa Zulu Natal: Sanele Ngema(2),Freedom Gumede(2), Mandlakayise Mgoduka(1), Thuthukani Ndlovu(1),

North West: Mokaleng Itumeleng(1), Xego Vusi(1), Jonkers Happyboy(1), Isaac Sejeso(1), Rampho Obakeng(1)

footyWILD High Medalist �?? Mandla Mgoduka (KZN)

footyWILD Extreme (Open Age) Consolation Final

Gauteng 9.9.63 defeated Kwa Zulu Natal 4.9.33

Best Players

Gauteng: Tebogo Motlhaoleng, Benjamin Motuba, Brian Mitchell, Promise Shakoane, Matthew Nielson, Mishack Silindane

Kwa Zulu Natal: Lungisane Mtolo, Vukile Ndlela, Andile Sangweng, Mlungisi Manyoni, Sizwe Zulu, Mfanozi Gazu

Goal kickers:

Gauteng: Jason Zidel(2), Brian Mitchell(2), Prince Nepeswerane(1), Mishack Silindane(1), Bennie Springkaan(1)

Kwa Zulu Natal: Ndodla Kubeka(2), Mfanozi Gazu(1), Lungisani Mtolo(1),

footyWILD Extreme (Open Age) Grand Final

North West 9.11.65 defeated Western Cape 4.9.33

Best Players

North West: Modise Jankie, Shomolakgosi Kagiso, Steven Malinga, Julian Horn, Thabiso Phakedi, Kagiso Gaonosi

Western Cape: Benjamin Miller, Simphiwe Mbalo, Bayanda Sabetwa, Justin Miller, Sinethemba Boki, Thami Junior

Goalkickers :

North West: Steven Malinga(3),Steven Matshane(1), Keagile Garenamotse(1),Andre Swanepoel(1), Thabiso Phakedi(1), Tshepiso Mogakwe(1)

Western Cape: Bayanda Sabetwa(2), Thami Junior(1), Justin Miller(1)

footyWILD Extreme Medalist �?? Benjamin Motuba (Gauteng)