The Gold Coast SUNS are excited to announce that 16-year-old Hewago Oea from Papua New Guinea will join the SUNS Academy program on a two-year international scholarship.
Oea, or as he is more affectionately known as Ace, is from the Gordon province in Port Moresby, PNG, and will join the SUNS Academy full time for the remainder of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
“I’m very happy, it’s a great chance for me to get better as an AFL player,”
“The SUNS have been great to me and I’m really enjoying being part of the Academy”
Ace who began his journey with strong performances representing PNG in the U16 Queensland State Championships in 2017, went on to play for Queensland in the national championships before being selected as the first PNG player to be part of the NAB AFL Academy.
More recently Ace was part of the 2018 Academy series representing the SUNS under Head Coach Andrew Raines, where he averaged 13 disposals, four tackles and five inside 50’s per game.
“Ace as a player is very tough, it’s one of his main attributes, he’s fearless at the footy and he competes for the whole
“He’s quick and his speed is a massive asset along with his ability to use the ball well.”
“There’s still a lot of work to do and it’s exciting to have him as part of the Academy program and hopefully we can help him to develop even further”
General Manager - List & Strategy Craig Cameron said he was thrilled to be able to have Hewago as part of our Academy program moving forwards.
“Obviously, it’s very exciting to have somebody of Ace’s talent and work ethic at our football club,” Cameron said.
“He brings speed, agility & pressure whenever he takes the field and will utilise his position as part of both the SUNS Academy & NAB AFL Academy to develop his game in a full-time program.”
“The scholarship Ace has earnt is a credit to AFL PNG and the impressive talent pathway they have been able to deliver in conjunction with AFL QLD for a number of years now.”
Ace also received the best on
