Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- This is an interesting audio interview by ABC Pacific with AFL Ambassador at Large Kevin Sheedy. (Now West Sydney Coach) They are discussing recent moves by the AFL to expand our game further in the South Pacific. He also reveals some of the behind the scenes machinations at AFL House. We ponder how the Northern Hemisphere countries feel about all of this focus – The 2008 International Cup had PNG -1, NZ -2, and South Africa -3 then the rest. It’s not healthy to have this situation develop long term. Link--- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/200911/s2734987.htm A survey of 150 people was done in Blacktown where the training ground/home base for the new WS club will be. The Daily Telegraph ran the survey and had photos of leading NRL and AFL players and Kevin Sheedy and asked people to identify them. Some interesting comments came out – What staggered us was that for NRL heartland half of the interviewed could not identify the NRL players except for Jarryd Haines. The AFL results were predictable in the survey, and the Telegraph emphasised that. For an Australian cross section the incorrect sports answers were unusually high, which might be due to the very high immigration to the region. We also have a Social comment on this - The bigger cities become the more the community disconnect increases. Link--- http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/who-is-kevin-sheedy/story-e6frexx0-1225796676228 The 2009 4 team AFLPNG Super Series kicked off on Saturday (Oct 31) in Port Moresby. With all four teams filled with the best PNG talent on offer the games were a highlight it appears. We hope that AFL Scouts flew over to have a look. Link--- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20091106/frhome.htm This article dissects the media coverage of Karmichael Hunts move to the Gold Coast Club and Kevin Sheedys move to Coach the West Sydney Club. The AFL is digging very deep to work out how the media coverage’s penetrated into the Publics awareness in the 2 Northern States. Link--- http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/sheedy-move-a-bit-media-hit/2009/11/10/1257615040641.html Here is a concise summary of the new International Rookie at Collingwood. We wish him well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (“Collingwood perhaps have made the biggest splash this week by signing an American former professional basketballer by the name of Seamus McNamara. McNamara, who is 24-years-old and stands at 204 centimetres tall, excelled at soccer and high jump as a youngster before going onto play college basketball in his native US and then onto Germany where he played professionally for a year.) Will he or wont he – That is the question the AFL Sydney Swans are asking about Mr Kennelly their star Irishman now 28 who went back home to play Gaelic football for Kerry County this year to emulate his late father. We think his body which is carrying a few injuries (Shoulders) may have one more season in him. The go home factor is very strong in most Irish recruits. Link--- http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/spo...r-whats-in-the-irish-press-20091112-ia5s.html Kennelly has said yes to the return to the Swans in a 2 year deal. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87056/default.aspx NZ footy took another small step forward recently with the holding of The Hawk Cup. As previously reported AFL Hawthorn Hawks are now sponsoring NZ footy (About $100,000 a year plus other junior schemes) and the Hawk Cup. Another breakthrough off the field is the NZ Secondary Schools Council ACCEPTING the Hawk Cup for all of their schools (20 initially signed up) to play in. Our game was studiously ignored by the media and the public over time. However it was still growing albeit slowly. This news is a boost over there. Link to Hawk Cup results--- As we said small steps are necessary to get there. http://www.nzafl.co.nz/News/2009HawksCupisaHit/tabid/353/Default.aspx Here is video clip on the recent Italy V Frankfurt Redbacks friendly held in Milan. Played on a Rugby Ground at 9 a side and it was the Italians first home match. The Redbacks won very narrowly in a tight finish. It appears that Milan and Frankfurt are sister cities. The kicking by some players is Rugby based but they will pick it up over time – The fluency of Aussie Rules kicking. Also liked the umpires decked out in the normal orange – Great little touch. Link--- [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfacqZx-NQ4"]YouTube- Aussie Rules: ITALY vs FRANKFURT REDBACKS[/ame] Aussie Rules UK is steadily expanding the 9 a side concept through Regional England. The latest port of call for our game is The Birmingham University which interestingly has a large successful Gridiron Club also. It is planned for a University Comp of some type in the future in the regions. This a piece about the tentative establishment of an Aussie Rules team on the campus. Link--- http://www.redbrickonline.co.uk/sports/aussie-rules-in-birmingham/ Talking of Europe – The French Summer League will start shortly – The Paris Cockerels will travel a long way to play Andorra down in Southern France at Perpegion. The French intend to play as often as they can all things/obstacles considered. Enthusiasm is a fantastic thing properly channelled. We really do like the Big Countries in the EU getting into our game for obvious reasons – More players – More clubs – More exposure eventually.
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities West Sydney Expansion--- News Just in --- Invitations have been posted to the initial Western Sydney U18 TAC Cup squad members. This squad will play home and away in Sydney and Melbourne in that Cup comp in 2010. AFL NSW Scholarship holders are excluded The first Training commences this Monday the 23rd at Blacktown under Alan McConnell – Sheedy will be around the place somewhere. Yes folks this is the historic but low key start of the journey for the players who will make it in 2012. Another ex NRL Administrator with experience of sport in Western Sydney has signed up with the new club. It is obvious the Melbourne based AFL realises that the sports scene in Sydney is totally different to Melbourne, and needs a different approach. Note the “Well organised and well resourced” comments about his new employers. Some would say predictable of course however it is true. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/andrew-hill-joins-west-fight/story-e6frf9jf-1225797110876 Another West Sydney/Sheedy article in an outer Sydney Suburb Newspaper that is in the new clubs catchment area which has Aussie Rules Clubs up and running. The author feels that these same clubs will feed the GWS team. However the author has some latest news/speculation about where the new club will play its lower crowd drawing matches. He mentions that the Sydney Showgrounds venue is going to be upgraded to cater for AFL matches. (This is where the Annual Royal Sydney Show is held – County Fair for the overseas fans) It may be just pure speculation but that rumour is around in footy circles. Officially no statements yet from the State Govt. This maybe the eventual ground set up- Blacktown – Training and pre season- Under Age Champs – Sydney League Local matches Showgrounds – lower drawing AFL matches Homebush Stadium – Blockbusters including cross town rivals – Sydney Swans. Link--- http://www.liverpoolchampion.com.au...for-afl-in-liverpool/1673209.aspx?storypage=0 International Expansion--- We knew this story was coming and now it has been officially confirmed by the AFL Hawthorn Club. They have launched a modest talent development program “money wise” into Rugby Union mad New Zealand. All of the signs were possibly there that this would eventuate – Hawthorn hosted the NZ Falcons National team last year for the International Cup. It will be very interesting to watch to see how it goes – Participation numbers will be closely watched because prior to this getting resources for the game was difficult. Again we repeat our game needs kids –“Born to the game”- to be completely successful in any region. However Ya Gotta Start Somewhere. We thought Hawthorn would have first dibs on any talent however NZ is opened up to any AFL club that wants to get involved. We would not be surprised to see other clubs over there because NZ is a lot closer than South Africa. The next obvious target for direct Club involvement is PNG with the Gold Coast Club leading the way with 2 I/Rookies already on board. We ponder why the Brisbane Lions have not moved in that direction. The 14 year old International Rookie signed up is a long term investment who will be tutored by the “ex AFL” All Blacks kicking Coach- Lateral thinking at its best. Link--- http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/blogarticle/tabid/10850/newsid/87059/default.aspx This is the sports page from the announcement day online NZ Herald – Not a mention of the Hawks move. Note the headlines from a Rugby mad media about the All Blacks getting ignored by Soccer mad Milan. This is the mountain that has to be climbed by our game over there and is typical of dominant football codes everywhere including Melbourne. We are not totally biased about this topic and it is the reality of the situation. Link--- http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&sou...t&meta=&aq=1&oq=nz+herald&fp=401997eedf2eee64 The Hawthorn Club reveals its total program for “The Land of the White Cloud”. It is a much bigger and comprehensive than previously thought – Even down to the number of Hawthorn matches beamed into TV Land over there in 2010. Read on ---- Link--- http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/hanz-up/tabid/15148/default.aspx North American footy fans we have not forgotten you – The AFL Collingwood Magpies latest recruit from the USA was interviewed on the Magpies TV Station – Here is the link Courtesy of USfootynews.com We ran this with Windows Internet Explorer. http://www.usfootynews.com/component/option,com_seyret/task,videodirectlink/id,162/ Keeping with the North American theme this promotion video features the Canadian Northwind National team. We ran this with Windows Internet Explorer. Courtesy of USFootynews.com http://www.usfootynews.com/component/option,com_seyret/task,videodirectlink/id,159/
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities AFL International Rookies--- AFL Official International Rookies List as at November 14 We will update this topic as changes occur. The basic revised rules for these Rookies are – Each Rookie is paid $1000 per year if remaining in home country. Each Rookie is paid $20,000 per year if brought to Australia Each AFL Club is able to recruit 24 Rookies (Not Irish) over a 3 year period Each AFL Club is restricted to 2 Irish Rookies??? (Min Age 18) – GAA agreement Each Rookie is not included in each Clubs salary cap. Adelaide Crows; Brian Donnelly (21) – 2nd Year – Ireland Brisbane Lions; Pearce Hanley (20) – Ireland – Up to senior list Niall McKeever (Ireland) - Unlisted Carlton Blues; Peter Labi (17) – PNG Zac Tuohy – Ireland Collingwood; Seamus Macnamara (24) –Mature International - USA Essendon Bombers; Michael Quinn – 2nd Year – Ireland David Meli– PNG Gold Coast FC; Stanis Susave – PNG Anua Parka – PNG Hawthorn; Kurt Heatherley, (14) – New Zealand –Located Home Country North Melbourne Kangaroos; Connor Meredith – 2nd Year –Ireland Richmond Tigers; Thomas McCann (Ireland) - Unlisted James O’Rielly (Ireland) - Unlisted St Kilda Saints; Tommy Walsh (21) – Ireland Sydney Swans; Michael Pyke – Mature International - Canada Chris McKaigue. – Ireland Western Bulldogs; Inoke Ratu – Fiji- Located Home Country - Solomoni Loki – Fiji – Located Home Country-
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- The 4 team Super Cup series being run by AFLPNG is continuing in Port Moresby. The latest results from last Saturday Nov 14. The Cup is being used as a scouting exercise for the best U23`s in PNG. We think visits by Australian clubs would be a boost for our game up there. PNG should field a good side for the upcoming Oceania Cup in Fiji in December and should be favourites for the title. Link--- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/2926 Another member of the AFL footballing Rocca family is off to the USA to try out for the NFL punting ranks. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=87210 This news item mentions the AFL Exhibition game in China in Shanghai in 2010 and the venue. (Jiangwan Stadium) We can safely assume the AFL has organised sponsorship – Private or Govt- for this event – AFL House does not fully fund exhibition games overseas- That is why the 2010 South Africa match was cancelled – Sponsors pulled out due Global Financial Crisis. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/20/2749238.htm The Jiangwan Stadium was built in 1935 and in 2008 was upgraded to include further facilities, which included a swimming pool and sports centre. The outdoor stadium where the AFL match will be held has a running track around the perimeter of the grassed area. The seating for 40,000 is tiered all the way round and has no covered stands that can be seen. A new Head Quarters complex for AFL China was to be built in Tianjin Northern China in co-operation with the Authoritories in that city – There has not been any news on its completion/progress. First up we go back to this 2008 article which describes the sod turning ceremony on the site in June of that year. So we know it has been started. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=60791 We move forward to this extract from an October 2008 piece on the complex--- (Quote) --“Melbourne business Thomson Perrett, headed by Australian Hall of Fame legend and five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, will oversee the construction. The company has extensive knowledge of soil, drainage, landscaping and grassing strategies needed in northern China after recently completing the 18-hole Fortune Lake project. The reason we've chosen to build this AFL ground is because it has all the same materials," Thomson said. (End of quote.) Recently articles have appeared in Melbourne revealing that AFL Executives and Kevin Sheedy had been to Shanghai about the 2010 Exhibition match but no mention of the Tianjin ground, which was scheduled to be completed this year. In theory wherever new cricket grounds are built our game should follow however that is not occurring internationally. It appears that China is taking up the game of cricket and has a small base currently. We do know from the Indian Cricket media that India is donating large supplies of Cricket Gear into the Chinese game. Here is an article about the growth of cricket in China and our games bosses should be setting up ground sharing deals while it is in its infancy. We can only hope. Link---http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/cricket/give-china-an-inch-and-game-will-grow-mile/2009/11/14/1258043830611.html In Beijing earlier this year the long established Beijing Bombers organised a 9 a side 4 team local league featuring expats and locals. It conducted 2 separate seasons and named itself – Beijing Australian Football League. The second season was held in the Northern Hemisphere Autumn and the finals were held recently. One team – The Dongcheng Demons contained mostly locals, which is a promising sign for the future – They did not make the final but tried very hard. The Demon connection in their name is likely to be the AFL Melbourne Demons who are involved officially with AFL China development in Tianjin. The Cup was won by the Santa Fe Saints over the AZ Chaoyang Cats by 2 points in a very tight finish and their team photo highlighted one local player which is terrific. The BAFL will crank up again in 2010 with hopefully an increased local presence but it has proved the league is viable and congratulations to the organisers. In more China news earlier this month the Hong Kong Dragons beat the Beijing Bombers in Beijing for the 2009 China Cup. Previously the China Cup had been contested between the Bombers and the Shanghai Tigers with the Bombers being dominant. This year the 3 teams were to compete for the trophy however the Tigers were unable to make it. As a side note the AFL intends in the future to involve the 3 Expat China Clubs above more closely in the games development. What form this will take has not been revealed. Their local expertise and knowledge of how the Chinese sports systems work will be invaluable. Whatever happens it aint gunna be easy up there folks. This is the official AFL China Reds team who competed at the 2008 International Cup in Melbourne – We believe several players on the list have moved on from their schools and the sport – As we said earlier give it 5 years at least for stability. However it does give their school backgrounds etc. It will be interesting to see who returns to Melbourne for the 2011 Cup. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/Portals/0/afl...ernational_Cup/team lists/China_team_list.pdf According to the 2008 AFL International Census on China there were official Aussie Rules footy activities at the following centres. Beijing Sports Uni - Senior Tianjin Normal Uni “ Tianjin Nankai Uni “ Tianjin Inst of Electronics “ 3 x Primary Schools at Suzhou – Auskick and Youth (The prosperous city of Suzhou is located near Shanghai in Jiangsu Province.)
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities AFL International Rookies--- AFL International Rookies List updated on November 19 The basic revised rules for these Rookies are – Each Rookie is paid $1000 per year if remaining in home country. Each Rookie is paid $20,000 per year if brought to Australia Each AFL Club is able to recruit 24 Rookies (Not Irish) over a 3 year period Each AFL Club is restricted to 2 Irish Rookies??? (Min Age 18) – GAA agreement Each Rookie is not included in each Clubs salary cap. Try out = Not signed - Has AFL permission to train Adelaide Crows; Brian Donnelly (21) – 2nd Year – Ireland Brisbane Lions; Pearce Hanley (20) – Ireland – Up to senior list Niall McKeever (Ireland) – Try out Carlton Blues; Peter Labi (17) – PNG Zac Tuohy – Ireland Collingwood; Seamus Macnamara (24) –Mature International - USA Essendon Bombers; Michael Quinn – 2nd Year – Ireland David Meli– PNG Gold Coast FC; Stanis Susave – PNG Anua Parka – PNG Hawthorn; Kurt Heatherley, (14) – New Zealand –Located Home Country North Melbourne Kangaroos; Connor Meredith – 2nd Year –Ireland Richmond Tigers; Thomas McCann (Ireland) – Try out James O’Rielly (Ireland) - Try out St Kilda Saints; Tommy Walsh (21) – Ireland David Moran – Ireland – Try out Sydney Swans; Michael Pyke – Mature International - Canada Chris McKaigue. – Ireland Western Bulldogs; Inoke Ratu – Fiji- Located Home Country - Solomoni Loki – Fiji – Located Home Country-
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- The 9 a side? French League summer season from November to May 2010 is now underway. Results – Nov 14 Toulouse Crocodiles 99-156 Bordeaux Bombers Perpignan Tigers 42 - 168 Montpellier Fire Sharks Andorra Crows 28 - 283 Paris Cockerels In other news from France the Anzac Cup will again be held on April 24 2010. It appears to be a 9 a side game next year upgrading to 18 a side in 2011. This year a selection of expats played a French side made up of locals and expats in an historic game at Villiers-Bretonneux, which was the scene of some hard fighting by the Aussies against the Germans in WW1. Strong cultural connections remain today between that area and Australia. The link below gives more info on the 2009 match. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/75384/default.aspx Interestingly a brief history of French footy is also on their forum. It appears the first game of Aussie Rules footy in France since WW1 was held in 2000 featuring mainly expats in Paris. (We think that is correct because of inexact language translations) The French are also looking at holding 18 a side contests in the future to get ready for the 2010 European 16 a side Champs (No expats) to be held conjointly in Denmark and Sweden. The goal of that comp is to accustom the players to the normal game for the 2011 International Cup (No expats) in Melbourne – If they attend. There are also efforts underway to establish a team in Marseilles in the south of France. They are moving forward in France with our game despite all of the odds, and we wish them well in their efforts. The Melbourne footy media have had time to digest the AFL Hawthorn Hawks move into New Zealand last month. This piece among many things compares the cost of that project and the cost of the move into Western Sydney. There is one quote in the article by Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett which we think sums up to a point the current state of footy in Melbourne with its 10 clubs. QUOTE – When Kennett asked his question 19 months ago, what he was really asking for was a way to grow outside the claustrophobic and all but wrung dry 10- team Victorian AFL market. "If we find a home for the game with only 0.02 per cent of the New Zealand population that will amount to 8000 potential players and members," Pelchen said. "We're looking for a niche, but if we do it right we believe it can become a permanent market, a constant source of players and members for Hawthorn." END QUOTE We hope that other AFL clubs (Excluding Melbourne and Western Bulldogs) in Melbourne get on board overseas somewhere – Although this type of initiative will not suit all of the other clubs administrations. Link--- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...l-in-new-zealand/story-e6frg7mf-1225801844010 Ex AFL Sydney Swans player Michael O’Loughlin gets involved in a West Sydney training camp. All in for the common cause – Expanding our game in a non heartland region. Just note the different countries the players come from, and the young player highlighted is sticking with the Swans. Link--- http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rf...eys-melting-pot/2009/11/21/1258220007495.html The AFL Collingwood Magpies are off to Arizona in the U.S. for their annual High Altitude training camp. Apparently lots of hiking up and down the surrounding mountains is included. Link to Video--- http://player.video.news.com.au/heraldsun/#1339324276 Another AFL Club the Western Bulldogs has behind the scenes in recent months approached NZ contacts (With AFL approval) about setting up matches over there. There will be no games next year but 2011 has been pencilled in as a possible if sponsors can be found – Going by the non NZ media reaction to the AFL Hawthorn move it does not look promising to stump up the 500,000 required for each game. However as always transparency is not a feature sometimes with the AFL Clubs. They may have finance underway. Link--- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...mes-to-nz-for-1m/story-e6frg7mf-1225802678366 The West Sydney area is now beginning to see the efforts of AFLNSW and the new club to involve the “locals” from very mixed backgrounds in playing our game. Great to see the players also express interest in taking up Education Studies and the like. The match described will be the first of many in the future. We know there are heaps of High Schools in the GWS area but it is promising the list of schools that are involved with our game. Link--- http://www.teamgws.com.au/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=20&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=6f855c3160 We hear on the grapevine that AFLPNG will send a Rep squad to play in the AFL Cairns pre-season comp in North Queensland in early 2010. This maybe a forerunner to a squad playing all the time in the AFL Cairns or Queensland State comps. It will depend on various factors such as visas and regular travel for the PNG players. What a huge boost for PNG footy if it comes off – Finally international footy is getting some belated recognition – But ya gotta start somewhere.
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- The AFLPNG Super Series 1 in Port Moresby has drawn to a close. Series 2 to be held in the New Year. PNG International Rookies performed well in the Series. Lotsa people will be watching to see their efforts in Melbourne. This article confirms that a team will be put together to play in the AFL Cairns pre-season comp next year on a trial basis It is all looking good for PNG Footy. Link--- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/3243 Round Three of AFL Middle East was held last weekend. Here are the write ups on the 3 matches. Link--- http://www.aflmiddleeast.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=1 We do not normally cover NFL activities here but this piece is a bit different. The NFL Arizona Cardinals Club has put out an unusual call to Aussie AFL/NFL fans. Read on --- Link--- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new.../story-e6frg7mf-1225803758471?from=public_rss Organising Junior footy internationally has been a difficult task for most overseas leagues for obvious reasons – Money – Time – Volunteers – Parent Involvement and the list goes on. However there have been success stories one of which is the North Delta Junior Australian Football League located in North Delta which is part of metro Vancouver. The district has a population of 52,000. Founded in the 2003 season by Mike Macfarlane it has been running for 7 seasons incl 2009. They conduct a 9 round season – April to June. (The players then go on summer holidays) We believe the local Council was to set up a specific A/R ground for the comp after long negotiations. The league was structured into 3 Divisions in 2009 U12 – 4 mixed teams of 9 players U14 - “ “ U17 - “ “ Total – Approx 108 players (Capped every year) which includes approx 32 girls. For Example- The 12 year olds in 2003 will now be approx 19 years old and have continued through the ranks and are hopefully playing senior footy around Vancouver or elsewhere. In fact they could almost be classed as “Born to the Game”. Affiliated with the NDAFL are the Delta Bayhawks Senior Football Club who absorb some of the NDAFL 17 year olds, and the Western Wildcats Senior Women’s Club. These 2 clubs have formed since the NDAFL commenced. In August 2008 the Team Canada Wolfpack (With officials and Parents) representing Canada and the NDAFL embarked on an Inaugural historic tour of Victoria, Australia. They played in several matches against opponents of varying degrees of playing standard –They acquitted themselves well and learnt a lot footy wise, which included viewing an AFL game, attending the International Cup, and several tourist spots. The trip will be repeated in 2011 it is hoped. In June 2009 the league assisted in hosting the 2009 Canadian Women’s and Juniors Championships. This event saw 3 Women’s teams front up. Vancouver – Edmonton – Calgary The juniors were drawn up primarily from the NDAFL although juniors are up and running in Alberta Province. Also major junior efforts now happening in Ontario Province after receiving good sponsorship. There is no doubt in 2009 after 7 seasons the league is contributing solidly to the growth of footy on the west coast of Canada, which has grown from 1 club in circa 2001 to 5 in 2009. Never out of the news long – Ex NRL Karmichael Hunt has again answered the critics about him playing Rugby Union in France on a short term contract before his AFL debut in 2011. We still think he will only go one season then return to the NRL in 2012. Link--- http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/11/25/162261_gold-coast-sport.html PLEASE NOTE - SOME NEWS LTD LINKS NOT WORKING -WE HAVE DELETED THE ARTICLES.
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- The recent article about the AFL Western Bulldogs trying to arrange 2 matches next year at the Basin Reserve Oval – Capacity 11,000 - in Wellington NZ has highlighted some potential for our game in that Rugby mad country. The idea has been deferred until 2011. There has been one AFL match played at that venue previously. In 1998 AFL Melbourne Demons played AFL Sydney Swans in a regular season game. The crowd was 7820. Link to the venue--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Basin_Reserve.JPG Apparently the AFL Executive then decided to follow up the above match with more games in N.Z. Two years later in 2000 the AFL sent the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks over to Wellington in a regular season game. However the venue had changed to the newer Westpac Stadium – Capacity 34,000. The crowd was 11,666 Link--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westpac_Stadium Interesting to note the above same teams are 9 years later taking a renewed look at getting established over there. – History does repeat itself folks. The next year in 2001 the AFL sent the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows over to the same venue for a pre-season game. Crowd was 7,500 and we can vaguely recall it was pouring rain on the day. That was the last AFL match to be played in NZ to date. Going by the crowd records above it appears that The Basin Reserve would be the best bet for future matches and may be cheaper to hire. Another point on the crowd figures above is that they do very roughly compare to most New Zealand Soccer A league and NRL games over there – Possibly a market albeit small does exist over there, which may be developed over time with pre-season matches etc, which is where likely the Western Bulldogs are heading – If they can find sponsorships. The biggest city in NZ is Auckland where one AFL match was played in October 1989 when the Geelong Cats played the St Kilda Saints in an exhibition game. Crowd figure was 8,500 and venue not indicated. Eden Park is the main cricket facility in Auckland. Link--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Park We have been told some of the above playing areas are pretty small dimensionally – A likely scenario is 16 a side perhaps (Historically usually dropping the 2 wingers) It will take time But Hawthorns schools program will bring our game to more sports fans attention over there. However an area that possibly needs some attention by the AFL is the NZ media. The recent AFL activities were virtually ignored by them which is usual in a sporting monoculture. This is an intriguing article on the first live telecast of the AFL Draft and the Test Cricket match between Australia and a West Indies team which is only a shadow of its former greatness. Overseas fans may not know much about cricket which is now dominated by the 20/20 version led by India. Test Cricket between England and Australia creates the most interest by far in the two respective countries. The Foxtel (Pay TV) figures for the draft were encouraging and the telecast can be improved. Link--- http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/cricket-coverage-left-in-afls-draft-20091128-jy26.html Here is a review of the outcomes of the AFL draft written by a recognized authoritory on the topic – Emma Quayle. If your club does not get a mention – Don’t worry Emma has only mentioned the standouts good and bad. The players drafted are young and may or may not go on to greater things. There are no guarantees and the AFL is the only sport in Australia that has a draft. Link--- There is also a video to view. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-draft-who-won-20091129-jyed.html The AFL Collingwood Magpies have arrived in Arizona for their annual high altitude training camp. The Pies are still striving for a flag success since their last one in 1990 and leave no stone unturned. They also usually link up with the local U.S. Aussie Rules footy clubs while they are there. The Magpies player (Pendlebury) mentioned in the article is one of their key motivators and was sorely missed in the latter half of the 2009 season. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...ights-of-arizona/story-e6frf9io-1225804982252 While there is no footy being played in the USAFL off season activities continue. A poll was conducted to find an All Star team. We noted 12 players from the northern states of the country made it and the term “Revo” indicates also a member of the national squad. There were no players from the West coast of the US – Which is unusual historically, however the power base has currently shifted to the North East. We are pleased to see the Dallas Magpies have a starter. (Dallas was an early power status club over there) Here is the 2009 US All Star team – Courtesy of usfootynews.com Link--- http://www.usfootynews.com/content/view/806/60/ Well well the NZ “mainstream media” have finally picked up AFL Hawthorns move into the Shaky Isles. Err the Hawks are not actually spending “Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars” It is far less than that in a year. We repeat our game offers an alternative career to Rugby and Soccer football in a professional sport played before usually big crowds. The reaction from over there should be interesting with the Hawks Cup Secondary school numbers increasing in 2010. The AFLNZ spokesman is very upbeat about the future in the article. Link--- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10612332 Footy on the Gold Coast continues to expand – No figures given for 2008 only the percentage increase for 2009. It appears that the new club is assisting this growth. We must agree that School participation is now driving our game everywhere, and Auskick is leveling off from the previous boom years. AFL QLD report that for 2009 total numbers in the state up to 103,000. The 2000 figure was 20,000 – That is a big increase albeit from a low base. Link--- http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/12/01/164421_gold-coast-sport.html Our game takes another step into new technologies – Goal Umpiring decisions will come under scrutiny on a trial basis in the pre-season cup. Link--- http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/second-eyes-for-goal-umps-20091130-k14z.html Thanks for the support - Even though most of International footy is in the off season new topics just keep rolling in.
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- AFLPNG is busy in Lae testing out several U17 players for future pathways to the AFL. The Lae region it is hoped will become a good recruiting source for our game. Link--- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/3607 This NZ Auckland league club promo logo has some changes on it since last time we looked. Note the various playing levels the club now offers prospective players. This is a recent NZ development and brings the club into line with clubs in Australia – That is catering from Juniors up to Seniors and reflects the latest trends over there. The various player movements and histories in the club notes below the logo indicate a healthy state of affairs. Link--- http://www.manurewaraiders.org.nz/ We thought these latest worldwide average attendance figures would interest the sports fans. It appears that our game has slipped to 6th on the attendance ladder. American College Football leads the way from the NFL. The sport that has risen quickly is Indian Premier League 20/20 Cricket which attracts huge interest in the 1.2 billion Indian population. Courtesy of Wikipedia.com 1 - NCAA (American Football) - 75,816 avg. 2 - NFL (American Football) - 67,736 avg. 3 - IPL (Cricket) - 58,000 avg. 4 - Champions League (Soccer - Europe) - 44,438 avg. 5 - Bundesliga (Soccer - Germany) - 41,914 avg. 6 - AFL (Australian Rules Football) - 38,295 7 - Premier League (Soccer - England) - 35,599 avg. 8 - Major League (Baseball) - 30,201 avg. 9 - CFL (Canadian Football) - 29,206 avgl. 10 - La Liga (Soccer - Spain) - 29,124 avg. European footy is getting more active as the game spreads itself through that continent. The latest comp is the 9 a side Mediterranean Cup to be held in the South of France on Feb 6 2010. Teams competing--- Perpignan (France) Montpellier (France) Toulouse (France) Bordeaux (France) Barcelona (Spain) Andorra (Andorra) Additional Possibles – LFAC (Spain) – Milan (Italy) The Italians (AFL Italy) are taking to the game with enthusiasm –Which is excellent. We think if all goes well that country”potentially” could grow into a reasonable size with our game. This is why the big EU countries population wise are critical for influence and long term growth. Spain is also going through a mini revival with a team now positioned in Barcelona. Another club has been located in Madrid for several years This is major news for our domestic game – The two Adelaide AFL clubs will leave AAMI Stadium and relocate to a inner city re-developed Adelaide Oval by 2014 – If finances are forthcoming. Aussie Rules footy in Adelaide was based at the famous Cricket Ground (Which was opened in 1873) from 1877 to 1974. The SANFL then built the out of town AAMI Stadium on land it owned at West lakes and left the Cricket Ground. Inner City facilities are much more desirable if achievable. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=87758 Apparently more technology on the way for our game as the clubs try to get that edge over each other. We ask the question – What will be the extra cost of the micro chip inserted footballs over the normal football, and will the other ball maker- Burley- based in Perth get access to the chip. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...cking-technology/story-e6frf9jf-1225805934930 West Sydney Expansion--- Kevin Sheedy is stepping up a gear or two in his processes for the new team. In typical Sheedy fashion he has stated he will “pilfer” any body with the right credentials to join the yet unnamed club. However he has a big task in front of him to set everything up. Apparently advanced planning for the U18 TAC squad for 2010 is underway. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sheedy-revs-up-support-for-gws/story-e6frf9jf-1225805931857 The previous speculation that Tom Harley recently retired AFL Geelong Cats Premiership Captain would join the West Sydney Group has proved to be correct. Tom has moved to Sydney where his wife is in the media publishing business. This guy is successful and a good operator and will be a welcome addition to the new club especially for their many young players. He has also joined the Elite AFL AIS support team in Canberra as a Coach. Tom indicated that footy had been good to him and he would put something back into the game. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=87824 Gold Coast Expansion--- Finally the 2010 VFL draw has been released which will figure the new Gold Coast Club. How will some of the kids go against mature football hardened bodies of the VFL – That is the question. The Gold Coasters will play on one AFL ground next year. On Saturday July 31 they will front up against the Geelong VFL side at Skilled Stadium in Geelong. The VFL will be hoping that ex AFL Geelong player Nathan Ablett and ex NRL player Karmichael Hunt appear for the QLD team. If they do it will draw a big crowd we think. Link to draw--- http://goldcoastfc.com.au/news-and-...ball-club-takes-vfl-games-to-local-community/ More news from the US about the ex AFL players turning themselves into NFL Punters. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...or-anthony-rocca/story-e6frf9jf-1225806752439
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities South African Expansion--- Unfortunately this online article is only part of a longer piece about AFL development in South Africa. We note that total participation has reached over 20,000 as predicted at the beginning of the year by AFLSA. The four South African players at the AIS Camp are right before the AFL scouts eyes, where they should be of course. Good luck to them – Hope at least one makes it. They were the standouts at the AFLSA Inter Provincial Champs held mid year, and Chesney Botha who is big for his age was sent over by his School Rugby Union coach to try out for our game. In July of this year Botha scored a try for KWA Zulu Natal Province in U16 Rugby Union National trials against Border, so he obviously has some talent Here is a video of Botha training with the AFL West Coast Eagles in Perth this week before his return to South Africa after the AIS camp. The Eagles have KWA Zulu Natal as their allocated zone in South Africa. Link to video interview – use Microsoft Internet Browser Explorer 8 http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/7...luence+on+the+track/default.aspx#VideoPlayerB We think further Aussie Rules expansion maybe on the cards over there in 2010 – Have no actual info just speculation. The 2010 Soccer football World Cup in South Africa will not affect our progress because 48 million people cannot all play the other football codes. There is room for our sport, which so far is only located in four of their Provinces. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/new...s/afl-is-kicking-goals-in-africa/1696906.aspx One of the four South African footballers at the AIS Camp was invited to train with the AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos. We can expect to see this type of international activity increase from this year on. The implications of the next 3 drafts are now becoming clear. Clubs have to look everywhere for talent. This is a relatively new phenomenon for our game –Apart from Ireland Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87975/default.aspx More stories on the four South Africans at the Elite AFL AIS Camp. Great to see this stuff in the mainstream footy media – Where it belongs of course. The media in Rugby and Soccer football mad South Africa will remain indifferent of course to these activities – For now. We think when AFLSA player numbers get to the initially targeted 50,000 that situation may change- Its all about numbers and a presence in ALL of their Provinces and also AFL exhibition games around that country that can be resumed over there in 2011. We believe there may have been other international players originally attending the AIS but that did not eventuate, which was confirmed today. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87941/default.aspx Keeping on the South African theme – The player discussed here from NSW will be touring there early in 2010 with the Aboriginal AFL Boomerangs Squad. This squad travels to S.A. annually to play under age teams over there and to give the players a lifetime experience in a foreign country. Link--- http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/n...lian-rules/elijahs-off-to-africa/1667721.aspx
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities AFL International Rookies--- AFL International Rookies List updated on December 10 The basic revised rules for these Rookies are – Each Rookie is paid $1000 per year if remaining in home country. Each Rookie is paid $20,000 per year if brought to Australia Each AFL Club is able to recruit 24 Rookies (Not Irish) over a 3 year period Each AFL Club is restricted to 2 Irish Rookies??? (Min Age 18) – GAA agreement Each Rookie is NOT included in each Clubs salary cap. Try out = Not signed - Has AFL permission to train Now signed = Officially approved by AFL on Dec 10 –All others on the list previously signed Adelaide Crows; Brian Donnelly (21) – 2nd Year – Ireland Brisbane Lions; Pearce Hanley (20) – Ireland – Up to senior list Niall McKeever (Ireland) – Now Signed Carlton Blues; Peter Labi (17) – PNG Zac Tuohy – Ireland – Now Signed Collingwood; Seamus Macnamara (24) - USA – Now Signed Essendon Bombers; Michael Quinn – 2nd Year – Ireland David Meli– PNG Gold Coast FC; Stanis Susave – PNG Anua Parka – PNG Hawthorn; Kurt Heatherley, (14) – New Zealand –Located Home Country North Melbourne Kangaroos; Connor Meredith – 2nd Year –Ireland Richmond Tigers; James O’Rielly (Ireland) – Now Signed St Kilda Saints; Tommy Walsh (21) – Ireland – Now Signed Sydney Swans; Michael Pyke – Mature International - Canada Chris McKaigue. – Ireland - Now Signed Western Bulldogs; Inoke Ratu – Fiji- Located Home Country - Solomoni Loki – Fiji – Located Home Country- Comments - Total = 18 Four South African players in Australia for AIS testing, each trained unofficially with separate clubs this week (Dec 8) - Possible future Rookies
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- AFLNZ have announced their Oceania Cup team who will travel to Fiji for the competition. Interesting stuff about the NZ footy bosses who are going to establish a Football Academy next year. No doubt driven by AFL Hawthorns recent involvement and know how. The Hawks can also draw on their own junior program experience in Tasmania. We are encouraged by all of this development in that country – However what happens to the Northern Hemisphere progress with China the only country from that sphere mentioned for 2010 by AFL International. Our International game does not need lopsided programs favouring the Southern Hemisphere Countries. Link--- http://www.nzafl.co.nz/News/NewZealandHawkstotakeonOceania/tabid/357/Default.aspx The U16 Inaugural Oceania Cup is set to commence on Sat Dec 12 in Fiji. The comp will feature 6 countries including the host’s newcomers Fiji, and is a major step forward for our international game. This Cup has come out of the blue in the last 12 months from nothing – So as to speak – and is driven by the recently revised AFL International Rookie listing rules. The teams are as follows; Fiji – Nauru – PNG (Our Favourites) – NZ – Samoa – Tonga. We thought that the Solomon Islands were appearing however not to be. Possibly East Timor and Indonesia could be added in a couple of seasons. Link--- http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=135196 Here is another article on 2 teams that are competing in the Oceania Cup. Note the Rugby type language to describe our game however the players themselves are fully aware of the Rookie Scholarships that are up for grabs in the future. The impact is already underway for our sport. The other football codes in the region now have another competitor for the talent. It’s all good. Link--- http://www.fijidailypost.com/news.php?section=3&fijidailynews=25551 AFL Italy based in Milan hopes to expand the game to Rome next year and aims to have 2 separate squads set up from that city and have set down plans to have a Italian League up and running in the Northern Hemisphere Spring- They do have connections in Italy and Australia it seems. We wish them well because they may open a few doors. The AFL St Kilda Club think they have picked up a good one. Early days yet but this Irishman Rookie could be another Kennelly or Stynes. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-in-irish-rookie/story-e6frf9jf-1225807290394 Here is the 2010 West Sydney U18 TAC Cup Home and Away Draw. There have been different venues selected with quite a few games at their Blacktown HQ naturally. One game each in their Riverina (Albury) and ACT (Canberra) recruiting zones, and two matches at the 80,000 seat ANZ Stadium at Homebush in Sydney, which is where AFL matches are held. No news yet on the formation of their TAC Squad. Round 1 BYE Round 2 Saturday April 3 vs Northern Knights at Blacktown Olympic Park 11am Round 3 Saturday April 17 vs Queensland at Blacktown Olympic Park 2pm Round 4 Sunday April 25 vs North Ballarat Rebels at Eureka Stadium,Ballarat 1pm Round 5 Sunday May 2 vs Murray Bushrangers at Albury Sports Ground 1pm Round 6 Saturday May 8 vs Bendigo Pioneers at Craigieburn 1pm Round 7 Saturday May 15 vs Western Jets at Manuka Oval,Canberra 10:30am Round 8 Saturday May 22 vs Northern Knights at Craigieburn 11am Round 9 Sunday June 6 vs Dandenong Stingrays at Blacktown Olympic Park 12noon Round 10 Saturday June 19 vs Gippsland Power at Casey Fields 1pm Round 11 Saturday June 26 vs Sandringham Dragons at ANZ Stadium,Homebush 3:30pm Round 12 Saturday July 3 vs Calder Cannons at Blacktown Olympic Park 5pm Round 13 Saturday July 10 vs Oakleigh Chargers at Blacktown Olympic Park 2pm Round 14 Saturday July 24 vs Geelong Falcons at Chirnside Park,Werribee 2pm Round 15 Saturday July 31 vs Eastern Ranges at ANZ Stadium,Homebush 3:30pm Round 16 Saturday August 14 vs Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval 2pm Round 17 Saturday August 21 vs North Ballarat Rebels at Blacktown Olympic Park 1pm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Sheedy did his West Sydney promotion thing on the Sunday of the car race meet – Link--- http://www.teamgws.com.au/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=23&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=fba16c33f9 We noted that a recent ex NSW State Government boss has put his hand up for the CEO Job at West Sydney. Apparently all the still vacant management positions in the club have attracted applicants from a surprising variety of sport and business after a slow start. Taigh Kennelly is predicting a lot more young Irishmen will be heading to the AFL – Apparently the world economic downturn has really bit hard in Ireland and MAY influence the young GAA players to make the move. A side benefit for the game is increased interest from the locals in Ireland in the AFL TV coverage over there. This will apply also to other countries as the Rookies come on board and play in AFL matches. We think that only the real talented and determined to make it types will actually stay and persist. Kids “born to the game” from anywhere in the world are a better proposition. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=87956 It has happened – FIFA the governing body for World Soccer football has met a hurdle in its attempts to stage the World Cup in Australia possibly in 2018 or 2022. (We think England is odds on to get it in 2018) The hurdle is in the shape of the two biggest football sports in the nation – AFL and NRL. Overseas sports fans can now get some idea of the competitive sports scene in the land Down Under. Link--- http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/afl-and-nrl-get-tough-on-soccer-world-cup-20091209-kjg2.html
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities International Expansion--- More news from PNG which confirms our earlier articles on an AFLPNG team regularly competing in a QLD competition in the 2010 season – We think the likely trial place as previously speculated will be the pre-season AFL Cairns comp. The talent is now starting to emerge from that country. We would like to see more funds poured in – The potential is there. It is intriguing to note that one of the other football codes over there is having admin problems currently with funding being withheld at the top level. No doubt they will sort it out. Link--- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/3864 The site at Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast is now ready for construction of the new stands. The new Gold Coast club will play there from mid 2011 if all goes well. Apparently it will provide over 700 jobs in the district when up and running, and will feature of course all the latest stadium design features. http://www.gc17.com.au/news-and-media/news/carrara-stadium-is-planning-to-be-all-fun-for-gcfc-games/ Great to see a photo grab of our game against the article on sports sponsorship in Australia. Some interesting comments on a possible decline in 2010 of sponsors. The AFL really needs to get going and advertise our game more overseas. They have huge budgets for domestic growth and need to correct the imbalance. Link--- http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/1...hip-strong-in-2009-budgets-to-squeeze-in-2010 While the Torres Strait Islands between North Queensland and Papua New Guinea are technically offshore therefore international they are regarded as part of Australia. Our game up there has been expanding in recent times driven by AFL QLD, and Aussie Rules Scouts are now everywhere scouring the ranks of juniors looking for the standout talent. The recruitment of this young player from up there by a leading Melbourne College apparently is a first. We wish him well – The spin off is his family will benefit from his progress possibly to the AFL. Link--- http://www.torresnews.com.au/index....awarded-historic-afl-scholarship&catid=3:news It appears that the largely no longer utilized AFL pre-season draft is for the chop. Not to be confused with the AFL National Draft, which will remain the chief recruiting source for younger players, along with the revised International Rookie list. However the bigger news on the horizon in the article is “Free Agency” which will have a major effect on players who for example have been 10 years with their club and may want a change. The AFL players Association have been driving Free Agency for many years. Link--- http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Sport/2009/12/13/AFL_pre-season_draft_faces_the_axe_405450.html This is an article by leading AFL writer Caroline Wilson discussing Free Agency. Link--- http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-justifiably-wary-of-free-agency-20091205-kc3a.html Another International Group of people visiting Melbourne exposed to a skills session of our game. Very interesting to see that a couple of players (Respective Captains) from the Peres Peace Team from Israel and Palestine who competed in the 2008 International Cup were in attendance – Along with their Coach “Dipper” a well known AFL personality. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87952/default.aspx Another article on the topic immediately above. This story goes into more detail and apparently the Peace Team will be back in Melbourne for the 2011 International Cup. We were a bit cynical and thought the concept may not have legs after 2008, and would be a “once only effort”. The grapevine has not heard of any activities since from that region. The Peace Team has gathered a steady support base it seems. Link--- http://www.mepeace.org/forum/topics/peace-team-stars-score-at The 2009 Inaugural U16 AFL Oceania Cup held in Suva, Fiji has been run and won. One of the outsiders Tonga carried off the trophy. It has been confirmed that the event will be held annually. Apparently our favourites PNG did not appear due to various reasons – However AFLPNG is getting organized for another big stage in early 2010 in QLD. An Oceania squad will be selected from the Cup and will compete in the 2010 U16 National Champs in Division 2 at Blacktown in West Sydney. This squad will have other internationals added and then be renamed The World U16 Team – Several AFL scouts were in attendance – Absolutely unheard of say just 3 years ago – How times have changed. - Necessity is the mother of creation when talent is getting thin on the ground. The two day comp it self was keenly contested with a lot of the players involved having little Aussie Rules footy experience but this did not daunt them at all. We note the permanent? Aussie Rules Posts installed at the venue, which can be a good sign. The hosts AFL Fiji did a good organizing job for newcomers to our sport – They have been able to put together a stable enthusiastic support group. The Fiji media were not adverse either to posting articles. Link--- http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=135458 PLEASE NOTE - WE HAVE POSTED TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF ARTICLES TOGETHER TODAY.
Re: AFL Expansion now has three possibilities I'm not going to close or split this thread up, but I think it's time to change its title, to reflect the fact that the code is growing in so many different directions. Besides, the thread lost its narrow focus on the AFL's expansion into the Gold Coast and West Sydney, and what should have been into Tasmania, a long time ago.
Yep good idea to have a new title - The new title which is very positive reflects the changes occuring domestically and internationally. Cheers
Sure beats splitting the thread into a series of recent posts, or closing it up and starting over. Keep the news and developments coming!
International Expansion--- We should have seen the signs when AFL House place an ad on their website earlier this year looking for applicants to travel and organise/ coach in Asia/ Pacific. The scheme has the support of Federal Govt Agencies. Well it appears ASIA/PACIFIC is now the buzzword, and under the one banner– Not just the Pacific – more on this later. Great to see the effort expanding outwards and China is a big fish to fry –So as to speak, and might have something to do with it. Link to article on the jobs up for grabs. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/71998/default.aspx The 2009 AFL Participation Census has been conducted. Total Numbers for 2009 for Australia including the Auskickers – 732,803 – Up 42,451 from 2008 Total Auskick Numbers for 2009 -168,973 – Up 5,114 from 2008 It appears that Schools programs are driving the increases and Auskick growth for now has levelled out. Will be interesting to see if our game can get to 1 million in about 6 years time. Has the well run dry in NSW and QLD – We think there is still some way to go despite the other 3 codes having their highest participation rates in those states. Will release the International figures when available. US Aussie Rules footballers have in recent times travelled to Perth in Western Australia to try out for various clubs – They even find their way into the country areas of the state. Here is an article about players trying out for a city club. Link--- http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/6527075/change-of-scenery-for-aspiring-wafl-trio/ The AFL Collingwood Magpies did their annual trip to Arizona earlier this month. The club is a big believer in the High Altitude training concept, and also has an H I parabolic chamber at their HQ in Melbourne. Their push for the premiership will soon be getting underway – However there are 3 teams in front of them at this point in time. Link to article and photos--- Courtesy of USFOOTYNEWS.COM http://www.usfootynews.com/content/view/812/58/ For the first time in recent years the AFL Rules/Laws Committee have decided NOT to amend any of the current laws of the game for 2010. We think about time this happened – Our sport has travelled on a long journey since the original 10 rule set of 1859. A NZ journalist recently described it as “The kicking and Jumping game”. A non AFL point of view of course bit it is interesting to see how they perceive it. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl-sticks-with-the-rules/story-e6frf9if-1225810538640 A Japanese born player was selected by the AFL Brisbane Lions in the Rookie Draft today – Dec 15 - He becomes the second Asian born player to play in the AFL. Link to his background--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...or-sean-yoshiura/story-e6frf9jf-1225810372217 A Sudanese born player was also picked up today –Dec 15 - by AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos. This guy has the longest arms on a AFL player we have seen in a long time. We have featured the player before – Majak Daw – Has huge potential. The national broadcaster the ABC featured Majak Daw in its morning radio AM program, which goes right around Australia. This gives the move lotsa publicity. Link--- http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2773013.htm We can confirm that all of the listed as “now signed” International Rookies were drafted today Dec 15. That makes a total of 18 on AFL lists either in Australia or located offshore.
We will no longer use the article heading of International Development for this thread. All articles posted will cover the whole range of footy activities – Domestic and International. The article below is stating that a Pacific Nations U16 Squad in addition to the World U16 squad will now contest the 2010 National U16 Championships at Blacktown, and will be another excellent boost for our international game. The World U16 squad will now have to cast it net a bit wider and raise the hopes of some players in the Northern Hemisphere. At this point we think South Africa will fill some positions in the World Squad The AFL has got it right with Karmichael Hunt. However we think the Pacific Nations general interest in his move was not predicted. It appears that Mr Hunt will likely build up a reasonable following IF he continues on in the AFL after 2011 his initial year at AFL level. Link--- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/pacific-push/story-e6frf9jf-1225811148839 NZAFL announced earlier this month that they will create an NZ Aussie Rules football Academy for 100 first choice athletes in 2012. The term first choice we think can be defined as offering athletes an alternative career to other well established traditional NZ sports. Our game has never been in that position before in NZ. If all goes to plan it is hoped our sport will be on offer after school hours at all Secondary schools in NZ If “Kiwikick” and the “Primary Schools” programs can be grown that will at least have some kids who can understand and play the game when they enter Secondary School. We think the end of 2012 was possibly also used because West Sydney enters the comp in that year and 18 clubs will be looking for the best talent from everywhere. Several players have been earmarked already to be inducted into the Academy. This move highlights the very professional structures gradually being put in place around the world. So far confined to the Southern Hemisphere. Link--- http://www.nzafl.co.nz/News/AFLNewZealandAcademyspringsfromOceaniaCup/tabid/359/Default.aspx We are very pleased with the content of this article because we have been constantly told by the Naysayers that New Zealanders from any background will not play our game. Well that is not the case as is becoming clearer everyday. The young player discussed certainly rose to the occasion when required during the Cup competition. This is a great story and the South Pacific Cultural exchanges described can now be fulfilled by our game as well as the other football codes. Link--- http://www.nzafl.co.nz/News/SamiTuitupouAleaderbeyondhisyears/tabid/360/Default.aspx The Auckland AFL League in NZ has held its Grand final. The match was won by the dominant Auckland University Blues who defeated the Waitakere Magpies. Link--- http://www.universityafl.co.nz/ AFL North Melbourne and our game are receiving huge amounts of publicity worldwide through their recruiting of the Sudanese migrant Majak Daw. The BBC and The Voice of America have picked the story up and run with it. Link--- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8415988.stm The Voice of America article has a photo of various footballs but not ours. Oh well you can’t have everything we suppose – Some publicity is better than none. Link--- http://www1.voanews.com/english/new...kes-Sports-History-in-Australia-79401327.html The grapevine tells us that French footy has taken an official step forward in its development. All of the existing Club Presidents met recently at the Head Quarters of Sports Federation Leo Lagrange in Pantin, which is on the outskirts of Paris. What has happened is French footy is now affiliated with the above group and will receive official support for the sport. This Sports Federation Leo Lagrange is located in 12 locations across France, and will likely now offer our game much needed assistance to consolidate then expand. Link to their locations--- http://www.leolagrange-fnll.org/05reg.php They seem to be excited over there with this move, and have formed as roughly translated – National Committee/Commission of Australian Football - which will now manage the game. We wish them well in their footy activities. We were also intrigued about the name – Leo Lagrange – Here is a Wiki article on this gentleman. He appears to have been a driving force in French Sport and Politics prior to World War 2, and is held in high esteem in France. Link--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Léo_Lagrange AFL Italy based in Milan continues to progress – On Dec 12 they held a training/intro camp in Rome. Several new players turned up for the training and a practice game was held. Meanwhile they continue to field inquiries about the game – One in particular coming from Catania in Sicily. This is the benefit of setting up a team in one city and then looking around for further development.
Footy News West Sydney continues to spread its wings and influence by setting up Academies in its recruiting zone. The Southern Border between NSW and Victoria has been a traditional recruiting zone for our game and will now be focus of this new Academy at Albury. Link--- http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/l...rder-picked-for-training-academy/1709610.aspx Another recruiting tool is being explored by the Greater West Sydney Club as it ranges far and wide for new talent in non Aussie Rules footy heartlands. What a great idea to target this sporting group - Immigrant Sudanese Basketballers - which has the specific athletic potential to provide some new players. We don’t think they are suited to the Rugby Codes. It fits in nicely with the Majak Daw recruiting by AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos. Link--- http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/team-gws-eyeing-other-sports-for-local-heroes-20091218-l5so.html A major Australian grocery chain located in Western Sydney has jumped on board and sponsored a local AFL Club. While not directly connected to the GWS club they have indicated they (The Chain) support the AFL push into West Sydney and have some positive comments about the code. It all helps with the publicity and presence in that area. Link--- http://www.westernweekender.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1382&Itemid=50 This article discusses the U16 AFL Tasmania side that will play against the U16 World 18 squad next year at the U16 Nationals at Blacktown in Western Sydney. These Champs should prove to be interesting to say the least. Will the World Squad get absolutely thrashed – Not sure because the criteria will be relaxed it appears to allow for U19 or U18 for that squad. Link--- http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/12/18/116475_afl.html French footy held the second round of its 2009/2010 season on Dec12. Results--- Paris defeated Toulouse 114-50 Perpignan were defeated by Bordeaux 62-133 The Montpellier V Andorra match was postponed to a later date due to player shortages with the Andorra side. The Strasbourg Club did not enter the comp due to restructuring. This league is going through the usual stuff of new comps. However official support is now evident so progress in future seasons will occur. Paris and Bordeaux are at the top of their current ladder. Another report on another round of AFL Middle East footy courtesy of The Footy Almanac and reporter Rod Gillett. We were surprised to see that rain actually fell in that part of the world. Also note the caution of driving around in that area of the desert – Definitely need Sat Nav in the region. Link--- http://footyalmanac.com.au/?p=6810 Here is an article courtesy of the usfootynews.com web site. The writer (Chris Adams) has written his views on the worldwide future of our game and sport in general, and was commenting on a book that contained content that said Soccer Football will overtake NFL and AFL in their respective markets and become Number one. There are some interesting concepts on the future of the media and sport in the piece. Link---- http://www.usfootynews.com/content/view/816/58/
Footy News The revised rules for International Rookies this year drove an increase in the number of Rookies signed by the AFL Clubs. Here is a breakdown by country— Ireland – 9 PNG – 4 Fiji – 2 USA – 1 NZ – 1 Canada – 1 AFL clubs in the past 3 years have commenced investing in grassroots footy in various countries. Here is a breakdown by club and country. West Coast Eagles – Kwa-Zulu Natal Province – South Africa Fremantle Dockers – North West Province – South Africa Collingwood Magpies – Western Cape Province – South Africa Carlton Blues – Gauteng Province – South Africa Hawthorn Hawks – New Zealand Melbourne Demons – Tianjin – China We have heard on the vine that Greater Western Sydney management will face their first test in setting up their initial squad in January. The AFLNSW Regional Champs will be held then and the GWS will select their playing group from this series for the 2010 U18 TAC Cup based in Victoria. Head Coach Kevin Sheedy and his family will officially move into the area on Feb 1 Also heard from AFL House spokesmen that the Gold Coast Club now have eight players who were State or International representatives in another sport. They commented further that Basketballers can make great ruckmen and a Canadian Rugby player can run. We are looking at a broadening of our game and crossovers will happen they finally observed. It has taken a while but this years overseas developments have finally made the mainstream footy print media in Perth. This kind of article helps educate the local football masses that talent is everywhere. Here is a sample – “The AFL is trying to encourage the games globalisation by including two international teams in the Under 16 national championships. Those games will allow clubs to compare Overseas players with the best youngsters in Australia.” This is a good news story for 2009. Ex AFL Geelong Cats player Ben Graham is having a stellar NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals. We wish him well. Link--- http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/grahams-nfl-star-continues-to-rise-20091225-lew1.html AFL Hawthorn has landed a bit of a sporting coup in signing this young multi-talented New Zealand sportsman. The player’s sports credentials are impressive and he also stood out in the recent Aussie Rules Oceania Cup representing NZ. Apparently he is keen to get to Melbourne and commence his footy career. However a long way to go yet for him to reach his full potential. Realistically his move to our game will not attract much attention over there but never the less he will be watched by the footy community over there, which should start expanding over the next 5 years. Link--- http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=88426 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This year saw several highlights occur for our international game. We have picked out the most important in our opinion for the “”long term potential.”” The AFL negotiating with a TV Network in Shanghai to show our regular season matches to a potential 25 million viewers in that area alone. That same network is sending staff to Melbourne in March to acquaint themselves with the finer points of telecasting the game, so they can cover live China wide the Exhibition match in Shanghai next year at the Expo. Long term this could be anything. The inaugural formation of the U16 Squads from Pacific Islands and The World to compete in the National U16`s in 2010. This will drive the formation of equivalent U18`s Squads also eventually and offer a fantastic pathway for the talent from the countries that have structured Juniors operating. We hope that the founder – Mike McFarlane - of the North Delta juniors in Vancouver Canada “six years ago” sees some of his juniors make the World Squad. That will be a great reward for Mike and his assistants. The AFL is now saying loud and clear worldwide – Get your juniors properly set up and the opportunities are now available long term for them to have a professional sporting career in Australia. (We are still a bit gobsmacked by this new policy and that they will actually bring the selected players in the final squads to Australia next June for the Champs. It is a huge change of direction for AFL House.) The signing of ex NRL player Karmichael Hunt by the Gold Coast Club. Well what is the connection the fans are saying – This talented sportsman from New Zealand has created unforseen interest from the Pacific Islands it appears – So much so that AFL Oceania bosses decided to form a separate Pacific Islands squad as described above. Indirectly this has opened up the long term potential for a greater diversity of talent from that region. AFL Hawthorn Hawks venture into long neglected New Zealand. Their HANZUP program is a well planned exercise to expose our game to a greater range of school kids and youths. We could say that the “kicking and jumping game” (NZ media description) is the “Fourth Way” in NZ to a professional football career. Again long term the talent presented over there will be scoured thoroughly by Hawthorn and other clubs. The AFL Western Bulldogs (With AFL tacit approval) are chasing sponsors for their proposed 2011 NZ Exhibition matches. They originally wanted to stage them next year, however it appears that enough interest at least was shown to defer the project for another 12 months and not abandon it. This particular announcement did not receive much publicity mid year. A group of fans in Italy revealed they had formed AFL Italy based in Milan. They played a friendly then set about setting up squads in Rome late in the year. Their enthusiasm is evident and indicated they will play anywhere anytime, and hope to have a 9 a side league up and running in mid 2010. A couple of their organisers are involved in the Italian media which helps – Their Facebook site has hundreds of friends already. (Not a guarantee of course) They will have connections to Italian Aussie Rules communities in Melb, Adelaide, Perth and Tassie (Yes not all Italian migrants’ kids played Soccer football) The Ex West Coast Eagles Champion player Peter Matera is rated very highly on the best of the Eagles list and has Italian heritage. We think long term this might be the country in that European region that really gets rolling – Good luck to them. One more unofficial announcement that did not make any headlines was that AFLPNG hope to have a PNG team playing during the regular footy season in QLD. We are tipping that AFL Cairns will be the host as it is speculation only that the PNG team will experiment in the 2010 Cairns pre-season comp. Again another long term potential talent provider for the AFL in Australia. That’s all for 2009 which may go down as a watershed year – We hope the players, supporters and officials of our international game have a great and successful New Year.