Rising Echuca Football Netball Club star Luke Oellermann is set to take to the national stage next month at the AFL Pacific Cup.
The South Africa-born Murray Bomber, who moved to Echuca when he was three, has been selected to represent his birth nation in the under-17s at the international tournament, to be held in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast from November 14-24.
The tournament will see Oellermann’s South Africa compete against Pacific Nations including Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
“I'm actually pretty excited to verse (countries) who don't usually (play Australian Rules),” Oellermann said.
“The sport is not their national sport they're normally playing rugby.”
To be eligible, players had to be citizens of their respective nation, with the South African team to be made up of 15 South Africa-based players and nine South African citizens based in Australia.
Oellermann is set to link up with teammates in the days ahead of the tournament to familiarise themselves with each other and take part in training sessions before the competition kicks off.
After nominating for selection, the 17-year-old was scouted during his domestic season where he helped Echuca’s thirds to a memorable fifth consecutive flag.
Primarily deployed on the wing, he made 13 appearances for the Murray Bombers this campaign, including kicking a lead restoring goal shortly before half-time in the side’s thrilling one-point grand final win over Shepparton Swans.
Oellermann has been with Echuca since the beginning of his footballing journey and praised the professionalism of the club in developing its young talent.
“I've played at Echuca Bombers since Auskick and I think their junior program is really good the way they bring up the young ones,” he said.
“Especially through under-16s and 18s they’re training them the way they want their seniors to train (teaching) the same game styles.”
The AFL Pacific Cup is one of three tournaments for international nations held in 2024 as the AFL looks to expand Australian Rules football’s presence globally.
In August, countries from the Americas and Europe competed in the Trans-Atlantic cup in Toronto, with Ireland prevailing over the US in both the men’s and women’s grand finals, while AFL Asia-affiliated nations will compete in the Asia Cup in Vietnam in December.
“Holding international events where players from all over the world are given the opportunity to represent their country is an important part of the AFL’s commitment to supporting the game across the globe,” said AFL executive general manager game development Rob Auld.
“These regional international competitions will bring the Australian Rules Football community from different regions together for the first time in seven years, which is exciting for all players and officials involved.”
The AFL formerly staged the International Cup every three years from 2002 to 2017.
The 2020 edition of the Cup was cancelled due to COVID-19 and the format was discontinued in 2023 as the AFL shifted its international strategy to feature three regional competitions beginning this year.