VAFA U18s TO AGAIN TAKE ON NEW ZEALAND’S BEST

The VAFA will again be leading a tour to Auckland, New Zealand in October this year.  The Under 18 team will be coached by Owen Lalor, who last year was  our under 19 representative coach and prior to that was the coach of St Bedes Mentone Tigers senior side in Premier section.  
Clubs in the Under 18 competition can nominate up to three players and clubs who are not in the Under 18 competition can nominate two players as per the criteria below.  These players will form part of the 24 man squad that will play two matches against the New Zealand in Auckland in October 2013.  
The cost for each player will be approximately $1300 per player.  The tour will depart on October 4th and return on October 7th. The timeline for the tour will be as follows:
October 4th – Fly to Auckland 
– Welcoming function with AFL NZ
October 5th – Game one against AFL NZ Under 18
– Dinner for players and officials with AFLNZ
October 6 – Tourist events
October 7th – Game 2
– Fly to Melbourne 
The 2013 Tour of New Zealand provides an opportunity for clubs to reward high achieving players within their club with an experience that will develop them as footballers and men. The objective is not the necessarily take over the best team in terms of skill, rather the best team in terms of contribution to the Association both on and off the field – i.e. young men who are ambassadors for our Association and sport. 
 U18 Tour of New Zealand – Selection Guidelines
Proposed Selection Guidelines:
 • Players must be eligible to play in the under 18 competition • Players must be eligible to play in the finals 
• Players must be 18 years of age as at 4 October 2013 
Other Selection Points:
• The VAFA will have the final say on a player’s “suitability” for the tour 
• Clubs are not required to provide two (or any) players for the tour should they choose not too. Players who do not meet the guidelines may still be eligible for selection at the discretion of the VAFA
If you wish to nominate a player, please complete the attached nomination form and return it to me by Friday 9th August at [email protected].