Sport
19 August, 2025
Jibb Iglesias set for AFL Asian Champs
Maryborough local Jibb Iglesias is set to pack his footy boots and travel to Thailand to represent the Philippines in the upcoming AFL Asian Championships.
The championships, held this year on Saturday, August 30 in Chon Buri, Thailand, have been running since 1999, pitting the continent’s best national sides against each other to see who is the champion of Asia.
Iglesias’ Philippine Eagles have been placed in the division two competition against the Japan Goanas, China Reds, Malaysian Warriors and Cambodian Eagles.
The five teams will battle it out in a round-robin tournament with all teams playing four games on one day. The teams that finished first and second on the ladder will play in a grand final to decide the premiers.
After being introduced to the competition through a friend, Iglesias said he was drawn in by the unique opportunity the AFL Asian Championships presents.
“A mate of mine reached out to see if I would be interested in playing for the Philippines,” he said.
“I had a think about it and I was a bit 50/50, then I thought you only live once and I’m getting old, so I thought I would give it a go.
“We start at 9.20 in the morning and play four games straight, so we have to try and win at least three games to make the grand final.
“It will be a good experience being able to play with different nationalities, make some new friends and play for the Philippines.”
Ever since being introduced to the sport by playing kick-to-kick during school, football has played a sizeable role in Iglesias’ life, most noticeably as a crafty, reliable forward for the now inactive Royal Park Football Netball Club.
Despite his age, Iglesias continues to play football with the Maryborough Pumas in the AFL Masters Victoria Country football league, encouraging retired players to keep actively involved in football.
Iglesias hopes to pass on his joy of the game to the next generation in the country where he was born and play a small role in the AFL’s planned expansion into a world-renowned sport.
“They are trying to promote AFL in a lot of Asian countries, so I want to help out with my experience since I’ve been playing as a junior,” he said.
“I love the game of football, I love it very much, so to teach a few young players, promote the game and make the game more accessible in the Philippines is exciting.
“There is a little bit of nerves, but I’m more excited just to get on the ground and to find out what Thailand is like.”
The Philippine Eagles will hope to improve from their 0-3-1 record in 2024, starting their campaign with a match against the Japan Goanas.
Every game will be streamed live on AFL Asia’s YouTube and Facebook page.