23 Apr 2009
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Australian Football League (AFL) Academy under-17 team scored a huge 132 point win against the South African Lions on 20 April 2009 at Borland Park in Paarl, north of Cape Town. 

The AIS/AFL Academy team played the match as part of its South Africa tour and, although the Australians had a decisive victory, it was the promotion of Australian rules football in South Africa that was the real winner.

Coaches and spectators were impressed by the skill level and tenacity shown by both sides. The AIS/AFL Academy team played an exciting and attacking brand of football for the whole match, but the South African Lions did not give up, scoring three goals in the last quarter of the match.

Multiple goal scorers for the AIS/AFL Academy side included Mott (4), Stevens (4), Duncan (3), Stubbs (2), Atley (2) and Hartigan (2). Victoria’s Jordan Gysberts was named man of the match at the post-game function.

AIS/AFL Academy coach Alan McConnell said the South African tour offered a fantastic opportunity for the young footballers to develop their skills and to improve their game.

‘Not only has the squad benefited from playing an international match against the athletic South African team but they have experienced lessons that will stay with them for the rest of their lives that will make them better footballers and individuals,’ McConnell said.

The AIS/AFL Academy squad has been on tour in South Africa from 12–24 April helping to promote Australian rules football through the innovative Footy Wild program.

Footy Wild is a modified version of the AFL’s Auskick program specifically designed to give South African footballers an opportunity to learn how to play the game in a fun and safe setting. There are an estimated 17 000 people who play Australian rules football in South Africa.

The AIS/AFL squad will remain in Cape Town for the rest of the week before travelling to Perth to take on Peel Thunder as a curtain raiser to the Fremantle versus Sydney Swans match on Saturday 25 April at Subiaco Oval.

The AIS/AFL Academy is a central part of the organisations’ commitment to support the training and development of Australia’s best young talented footballers.