A six-week youth Australian Rules Football (AFL) competition, the Smart Start Supakik, is scheduled to begin in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea on July 11th, 2026. The tournament will involve six local schools and is organized by the AFLPNG development team. Organizers have deliberately scheduled the competition to conclude before national school examinations, prioritizing students’ academic commitments. The program aims to provide young athletes with the benefits of sport – physical activity and social interaction – without compromising their education. This grassroots initiative seeks to foster youth engagement in AFL within the region. Access to news of the competition is behind a paywall on the Post Courier website.