Austin powers into elite indigenous program
CAIRNS Saints flyer Austin Harris will gain further experience later this month when he joins the Flying Boomerangs squad for their Leadership Program for 2018.
Harris, who received the coveted AFL Queensland Troy Clarke Scholarship this year, will take part in a seven-day camp from November 18 to 24 in Darwin with the 25-player Flying Boomerang squad exposed to elite training environments and standards aimed at assisting them into the mainstream talent pathway.
Harris is just one of two Queenslanders, alongside Cody Harrison.
AFL Queensland diversity coordinator Peter Yagmoor, a Cairns City Lions product, hailed the benefits of the program.
“The camp is designed to be a learning experience for the group and I hope both Austin and Cody make the most of the opportunity,” Yagmoor said.
“The Flying Boomerangs program is the national AFL male indigenous program and it’s great to see Queensland having a presence within the program throughout 2018.”
Participants will undertake education sessions, coaching lessons and a cultural day at Wadeye Aboriginal Community which aims at strengthening their cultural identity.
Harris will relocate to the Gold Coast next season to join the Suns academy.
Meanwhile the Suns will be in the Far North this Sunday with an eye to finding the next Harris. Jason Torney, Suns Academy manager, and Andrew Raines, Academy head coach, are expected to be on hand as they search for male and female talent within their recruiting zone.