Republic of Nauru Sports Minister announces free Australian flights for 2019 AFL champions
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 24 September 2019
Republic of Nauru Sports Minister
announces free Australian flights for 2019 AFL champions
Thirty-five players and officials from the Boe Lions' 2019 AFL
Premiership winning squad will be flown to Brisbane free-of-charge
by the Republic of Nauru Government, Minister for Sport Hon.
Maverick Eoe announced today (Tuesday).
Minister Eoe said the Government's gesture was a fitting reward
for the Boe Lions' "hard work and sweat" in over-coming Panzer
in Saturday's Grand Final at Linkbelt Oval.
"Today, I can officially announce that the Republic of Nauru
Government's Sports Department is fully committed to paying for the
tickets for 35 Boe Lions players and officials to travel to
Brisbane," Minister Eoe said.
"This is a wonderful prize for the team winning this year's
Premiership Cup. I was there on Saturday in the large
crowd, and it was a terrific and tightly fought contest between two
very good teams.
"Unfortunately, there could only be one winner, with the Lions
securing their maiden division A title after they came back in the
final quarter to overcome the defending Premiers in a thriller.
"I didn't tell the two teams before the final that the
government would be flying the winners to Brisbane, because I
wanted to keep it a surprise."
Minor Premiers Boe were trailing at three quarter time against
Panzer in Saturday's grand final before storming home in the
final term to win by two points - 55-53.
Minister Eoe said the Republic of Nauru Government had allocated
funding to cover the 35 return tickets.
He said it was still unclear when the Boe Lions would be
travelling to Brisbane, a city also with an AFL team called the
Lions, who were knocked out of this year's finals by GWS at the
Gabba.
"I guess once the Nauru players and coaching staff finish their
well-deserved celebrations, they'll look ahead to when they want to
go to Brisbane," he said.
"While the Government of Nauru has previously sponsored AFL
teams to travel to Australia, that was for them to take part in
international competitions.
"This is the first time the Government has provided funding for
a squad to travel there just for R-and-R - it is a well-deserved
prize for the premiership winning team," he said.
ENDS////
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