Young and Gudgeon represent Canberra in AFL National Inclusion Carnival
Molongolo Juggernauts player Hallam Young and Ainslie Football Club Junior Alumnai, Cameron Gudgeon represented Canberra in the AFL’s National Inclusion Carnival this week.
The atWork Inclusion Carnival brings together footballers with an intellectual disability from across Australia to take part in a week-long round-robin competition, this year held at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Footballers hailing from all corners of Australia had the opportunity to don the representative jumper, with teams from New South Wales and the ACT, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, and Western Australia taking the field.
Canberra’s representatives saw 21-year-old Hallam Young from the Molongolo Juggernauts and Cameron Gudgeon named in the NSW/ACT RAMS Squad last month.
Young first joined the Juggernauts in 2016, and in that time has been nominated for Clubman of the year, been a key part of the 4th Grade Men’s team and has taken on roles in the forward line.
He will often arrive early run water for the Women’s team, then play a 4th Grade game and then move on to run water for the 3rd Grade Team.
Molongolo President Jacob Dunne told AFL Canberra Young’s selection is well deserved.
“The Coaches, players, committee and supporters already know that Hal is an exceptional Clubman, team player and person,” Dunne said.
“We have always as a club sought to foster a sense of belonging and community and Hal embodies this at the Juggernauts.
“As a club we are constantly looking for opportunities to highlight players and supporters with a passion for the club.
“Having Hal named in the RAMS is a great and well-deserved recognition of him and we could not be happier for him.”
Dunne believes the National Inclusion Carnival exemplifies the vision of the Juggernauts program.
“As a club we are building a culture of community and inclusion,” he said.
“The National Inclusion Carnival aligns with our vision for the future of the club.
“Molonglo is a Club where all who love footy and want to play or be involved are included.
“We are proud supporters of the National Inclusion Carnival.”
The AFL National Inclusion Carnival ran from Monday, July 15 to Saturday, July 21 at Blacktown International Sportspark.
About the National Inclusion Carnival:
For many years, players with intellectual disabilities from Victoria and South Australia competed in an annual State of Origin match. In 2013, players from NSW/ACT joined the carnival and Victoria was split into two teams (Metro and Country) to form a four-team competition.
Victoria Country was victorious in the 2014 carnival, which also saw the introduction of teams from Queensland and Tasmania. Western Australia participated in the carnival for the first time in 2015 where Victoria Metro claimed the honours. Victoria Metro then went on to claim the next three Division 1 titles, defeating South Australia in Melbourne in 2016, NSW/ACT on the Gold Coast in 2017 and most recently South Australia in Tasmania in 2018.
Two premiership titles have been secured in the Division 2 competition since it first began in 2017, with South Australia defeating Tasmania in 2017 and Western Australia defeating Northern Territory in 2018.
All fixtures and results can be found here.
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