L to R: Ben Armstrong, Aaron Roach, Simon Hudson

The three boys from the Isle of Wight who were chosen for the All England U/14 School Boys Australian Rules Football squad announced last week have all been named in the team that will travel to Denmark in September to play an international against the Danish Vikings in Copenhagen on Sunday 17^th September 2006.

The announcement was made late Friday by Aussie Rules UK, the body developing Aussie Rules for juniors in the UK.

The boys who were named the best players in the Downside Dockers Aussie Rules team at the recent London Youth Games joined a squad of 25 players named after the Games from competing teams. They will join the Island’s Steve D’Giacoma who has been named assistant coach of the England team and Paul Armstrong who will serve as a team official. This will be the first international Australian Rules ever played at junior level by an England team.

The Danish Vikings will pose a real challenge as they travelled to Australia earlier this year to play in competition with Australian junior teams and they carry the experience of a well established competition in Denmark with them into the game in September.

Peter Shaw, Headmaster at Downside Middle School said “This is a fantastic achievement for two great lads. We are all thrilled at their selection and to have students who represent their country at any sport is a tremendous honour. We wish all three well for their visit to Denmark in September. Our Full Service Extended School status, supported by the Pan Neighbourhood Partnership, is providing us with endless opportunities and this is another positive example.”