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AFL COMMUNITY CAMP LOCATIONS

Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 2:06 pm

BY MARK OPOLION

THE Australian Football League has today announced the locations for the 2008 Telstra AFL Community Camps to be conducted over the summer months between December and February.

The 16 AFL clubs will conduct training sessions, visit schools, nursing homes and hospitals, conduct NAB AFL Auskick clinics and community football forums for local coaches and administrators.

For the first time AFL clubs will be travelling to South Africa.

West Coast, Carlton, Fremantle and Collingwood are all scheduled to conduct week-long camps in South Africa over a three month period.

Carlton and Fremantle are scheduled to play an exhibition match at SuperSport Park in Pretoria on February 2.

In other changes of note, Sydney conducted a camp in Coffs Harbour last week, Adelaide will visit the Barossa Valley in May and both WA clubs will conduct local camps while also travelling to South Africa.

“The Telstra AFL Community Camps give communities the opportunity to see AFL coaches and players at the highest level preparing for the season ahead,” AFL General Manager -National and International Development David Matthews said.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to extend the Community Camp program to South Africa where the game is making a difference on and off the field.

“Seeing elite players up close will certainly inspire the young South African players.”

2008 Telstra AFL Community Camp locations

Adelaide: Barossa Valley (May 5-6)

Brisbane Lions: Townsville (Feb 6-9)

Carlton: South Africa (Jan 21 - Feb 3)

Collingwood: South Africa (Jan 20 - Feb 6)

Essendon: East Gippsland (Feb 4-6)

Fremantle: South Africa (27 Jan - 4 Feb)

Albany (Jan 30-31)

Geelong: Gold Coast (Feb 6-9)

Hawthorn: Tasmania (Feb 4-8)

Kangaroos: Northern Rivers/Gold Coast (Feb 4-7)

Melbourne: Canberra (Feb 4-8)

Port Adelaide: Whyalla (Feb 5-7)

Richmond: Echuca (Feb 5-7)

St Kilda: Ballarat (Feb 4-6)

Sydney: Greater Sydney (Dec/Feb*)

West Coast Eagles: South Africa (Dec 8-15)

Narrogin (Feb 5-6)

Western Bulldogs: Darwin (Feb 12-15**)

* Sydney will conduct day sessions throughout Sydney during December and February.

** The Western Bulldogs’ camp will conclude on Friday, February 15, with their opening NAB Cup match at TIO Stadium in Darwin.