Flying Boomerangs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flying Boomerangs |
|
|---|---|
| Names | |
| Full name | Flying Boomerangs |
| Club details | |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Colours | Black Red Yellow The Aboriginal colors. |
| Other information | |
| Official website | [1] |
The Flying Boomerangs are a special team for young Indigenous Australian male players in Australian rules football. Think of them as a junior national team! There's also a team for young women called the Woomeras. The senior team for adults is known as the Indigenous All-Stars.
From 2008 to 2017, the Flying Boomerangs traveled to other countries. They played friendly matches against junior teams from places like Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and New Zealand. These tours helped develop football in those regions. The team was often based in Darwin, Northern Territory.
In 2018, the AFL Commission changed how the team worked. Now, the Flying Boomerangs are part of the AFL's program to support different cultures in football. Each year, they play a special game in Melbourne. Their opponent is a "World Team" made up of young players whose parents were born outside Australia.
Contents
Team Identity
What's in a Name?
The team is named after the boomerang. This is a traditional hunting tool used by Aboriginal people. It's a symbol of Indigenous Australian culture.
Team Colors
The Flying Boomerangs wear the colors of the Aboriginal flag. Their jersey is black with a yellow boomerang design. Below the boomerang, there are red stripes.
Team History
Early Tours and Achievements
The Flying Boomerangs have a proud history of playing internationally. In 2013, they played against the South African national Australian rules football team both in Australia and South Africa. They also visited Papua New Guinea and were the first international team to beat them in Australian rules football. They won both their matches in New Zealand that same year.
Path to the AFL
Many players from the Flying Boomerangs have gone on to play in the top Australian Football League (AFL). This shows how important the team is for developing young talent.
Other tours included trips to Papua New Guinea in 2009, Tonga in 2010, and Fiji in 2011. They played against junior teams from Oceania and the Pacific Islands. Famous players like Andrew Mcleod and Chris Johnson have also helped coach the team.
Featured on TV
The Flying Boomerangs were even shown on national television! A documentary about their tour to South Africa was broadcast on ABC TV.
Notable Matches
The Flying Boomerangs have played many exciting matches over the years. Here are some of their results:
| Year | Opponent | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | New Zealand Academy | Flying Boomerangs 26.9 (165) defeated New Zealand Academy 3.2 (20) | Outer Oval, North Harbour Stadium |
| 2017 | South Pacific All Stars | Result not recorded | Albert Park (Suva), Fiji |
| 2013 |  New Zealand (U16) |
Flying Boomerangs 16.23 (119) defeated New Zealand 2.3 (15) | Hutt Park Wellington, New Zealand |
| 2013 | South Pacific Nations | Flying Boomerangs 13.5 (83) defeated South Pacific 10.9 (69) | Blacktown International Sportspark |
| 2013 |  South Africa |
Flying Boomerangs 17.15 (117) defeated South Africa 4.8 (32) | Durban |
| 2010 | South Africa (Coastal Squad) | Flying Boomerangs 17.10 (112) defeated South Africa (Coastal Squad) | Nyanga Cricket Ground, Cape Town |
| 2010 | South Africa (Inland Squad) | Flying Boomerangs 9.13 (67) defeated South Africa (Inland Squad) 8.9 (57) | Mohadin Cricket Ground, Potchefstroom |
| 2009 | Central Highlands (Papua New Guinea) | Flying Boomerangs 7.10 (52) defeated Central Highlands 2.2 (14) | University of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 2009 |  Papua New Guinea (U18) |
Flying Boomerangs 9.11 (65) lost to Papua New Guinea (U18) 9.12 (66) | Lae, Papua New Guinea |
| 2008 | South Africa |
Flying Boomerangs 11.10 (76) defeated South Africa 8.9 (57) | Location not recorded |
| 2008 | South Africa |
Flying Boomerangs 19.9 (123) defeated South Africa 2.11 (23) | Location not recorded |
Sponsors
Big companies have helped support the Flying Boomerangs over the years:
- Qantas (2010-2016)
- Rio Tinto (2017-2020)
Famous Players (Alumni)
Many talented players who were once part of the Flying Boomerangs have gone on to play in the AFL. Here are some of them:
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See also
