Rising talent from the Pacific will have the opportunity to train and learn from Queensland’s AFL clubs and staff, with thanks to and support from the Australian Government through it's PacificAus Sports partnership with the AFL and Invest Gold Coast.
Twenty-five promising players aged sixteen and under have been invited to attend the Pacific Academy Camps. These players from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Nauru, Tonga and New Zealand were selected following their performances at December’s 2025 Oceania Cup in Suva, Fiji.
This year’s camps will see players train at Brighton Homes Arena, home of the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS’ home ground, Austworld Centre. Players will train with experienced Academy coaches and benefit from strength and conditioning and recovery workshops, before testing themselves in matches against the Lions and SUNS academy teams.
Elite Pacific AFL umpires and coaches will also benefit from the program, with three umpires and six development coaches scheduled to travel to Australia to enhance their understanding of the game and learn from leading high performance coaches and officials.
2026 has also seen the addition of Invest Gold Coast as a program partner, joining AFL International and PacificAus Sports to support the delivery of the Gold Coast camps for the next three years.
Head of AFL Queensland and International Trisha Squires said she was excited to provide an opportunity for the exciting talent coming from the Pacific region.
“We are looking forward to welcoming 35 players, coaches and umpires to Australia to further develop their skills and knowledge of our game over the next two months,” she said.
“It is wonderful to welcome Invest Gold Coast on board as a partner, as they support the Pacific Academy Camps on the Gold Coast for the next three years.
“I also extend a huge thank you to the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports Program for their continued support of our pathways and programs in the Pacific. I also thank the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast SUNS and all of our affiliates in the Pacific for their support and investment in our programs.
“We want everyone to have the opportunity to connect with our game and are thrilled we will be able to deliver this again for our valued partners in the Pacific.”
Girls Camp
February 18-23 with matches scheduled for:
Pacific v Gold Coast SUNS, Friday February 20 at 5pm at the Gold Coast Suns training ground at the Austworld Centre, Gold Coast
Pacific v Brisbane Lions, Sunday February 22 at 10:30am at Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield
Boys Camp
March 11-16 with matches scheduled for:
Pacific v Gold Coast SUNS, Friday March 13 at the Gold Coast SUNS training ground at the Austworld Centre, Gold Coast
Pacific v Brisbane Lions, Sunday March 15 at 9am at Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield
PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.
The program delivered under the AFL partnership; AFL South Pacific – High Performance Pathway (2024-2027), seeks to develop a sustainable, high-performance pathway in the Pacific by identifying & developing talented players, coaches & umpires locally and supporting their development by providing dedicated training, matches and experiences with elite pacific players competing in Australian programs & competitions.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its activities, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.