The England squads for the upcoming Euro Cup in Cork, Ireland, have been announce. The following article from the www.aflengland.org website lists the players elected. The original article can be found at: http://www.aflengland.org/england-2018-euro-cup-squads-announced/ .

Both the England Dragonslayers and Vixens have named their squads for October’s 2018 Euro Cup in Cork. Following an intensive selection, both sides will be looking to retain the titles they won last year in Bordeaux, and have named squads bursting with talent ahead of the tournament later this year.

England Dragonslayers captain Matt Whiteley says that there are “match winners in every position” in the squad. “After coming through two selection events the squad is made up of a good blend of experience and newcomers,” he continued. “Every player has a massive part to play in the retention of the Euro Cup.”

 Dragonslayers Euro Cup 2018 Squad

Matt Whiteley – Huddersfield Rams

Mark Ireland – Nottingham Scorpions

Cam Cope – Wolverhampton Wolverines

Ross Denton – North London Lions

Ash Swift – Nottingham Scorpions

Lewis Ozanne – Huddersfield Rams

Rob Goliath – Nottingham Scorpions

George Dibble – Wolverhampton Wolverines

James Clayton – Huddersfield Rams

Paul Watson – Nottingham Scorpions

Sam Killoway – North London Lions

Adam Morris – Wolverhampton Wolverines

Roy Brannigan – Tyne Tees Tigers

Andy Walkden – Manchester Mosquitoes

Michael Sharpe – North London Lions

Reserves

Rhys Lincoln – Wolverhampton Wolverines, Ross Stanton – Tyne Tees Tigers, Martin Kearney – Nottingham Scorpions

Michael Sharp, Adam Morris, Paul Watson and Ross Stanton are all in line to make their Dragonslayer debuts

The England Vixens side is an exciting mix of experienced campaigners and young guns, named afer a successful trial day last month. Players have been named from club and university sides up and down the country. There are also players plying their trade further afield in Germany and Australia.

Vixens Euro Cup 2018 Squad

Alannah Blount – Nottingham Scorpions

Alex Saulter – Nottingham Scorpions/Melbourne University

Charlie Eales – Wimbledon Hawks

Chloe Hall – Free Agent

Danni Saulter – Nottingham Scorpions

Jayne Meadows – Wandsworth Demons

Kayleigh Aylmer – Nottingham Scorpions

Laura Misfaud – North London Lions,

Laura Turner-Ramadan – Nottingham Scorpions/North London Lions

Lisa Wilson – Hamburg Dockers

Louise Darby – Wandsworth Demons

Phoebe Meyrick – University of Birmingham

Phoebe Nicholls – Nottingham Scorpions

Rachel Mason – University of Birmingham

Rania Turner-Ramadan – Nottingham Scorpions/North London Lions

Rea Bartlett – University of Birmingham

Vicky Jones – Nottingham Scorpions/North London Lions

Reserves

Freya Blount – Wimbledon Hawks, Zoe Rowe – Wandsworth Demons

Phoebe Meyrick, Phoebe Nicholls, Jayne Meadows, Kayleigh Almer, Rachel Mason, Vicky Jones, Rea Bartlett and Laura Misfaud are all in line to make their Vixens debuts

About the Euro Cup

First held in 2005, the Euro Cup is Europe’s premier 9-a-side Australian Rules football competition. The England Dragonslayers are four-time champions (2008, 2009, 2013 & 2018). The England Vixens are three-time champions (2013, 2015 & 2017).

The 2018 Euro Cup will be held in Cork, Ireland. The 2019 Euro Cup will be held in Norrtalje, Sweden.

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Our AFL Asia correspondent Yoshi reviews the IMPACT Invitational Cup Tournament held last weekend in Osaka. 

On Saturday, July 7th, the Osaka Dingoes created club history by hosting two international teams as well as 2 Tokyo based AFL clubs for our first ever IMPACT Invitational Cup Tournament held at the Canadian Academy in Kobe. It was the first time for the club to invite international footy clubs.

It had rained heavily in the Kansai Region the previous two days before the tournament and travel chaos occurred the day before causing train and bus services to be cancelled. Even I got a weather warning about the landslides around my apartment on Thursday night. An evacuation order was made by the Kyoto City Council that sent me to a nearby former primary school building for a sleepover.

It seems like just a few weeks ago when the DC Aguilas defeated the Bogota Bullants to win the inaugural AFL Colombia premiership. In fact, it was. However, the format for the first season of competition in Colombia sees two mini seasons within the one calendar year, and part two is about to get under way.

The competitions in Colombia are very heavily built around the growth of the national team – the Bogota Bulldogs. The first season (completed just a month ago) saw the drafting of local and ex-pat talent to the three local clubs (Aguilas, Bullants and Bombers) to form a national competition where players could develop and the best would be selected to represent the nation in the Bogota Bulldogs team. 

The Bulldogs will fight to retain The Andes Cup against the Santiago Saints from Chile mid-way through this next season. There is also the chance to play in an 18 per side match at season’s end and possibly play in another yet to be defined international match, so performances across this second AFL Colombia season will be important.

 The AFL Colombia footy scene has seen extraordinary growth in a very short time, growing from an ex-pat based Bogota Bulldogs team to an international competition against the South American pioneers, the Santiago Saints, and now extending to a second season of local competition.

The competition already has some spice with the DC Aguilas now being the hunted after winning the inaugural premiership. Both the Bogota Bullants and Bogota Bombers will be keen to bring down the reigning champions and get their own silverware in what is fast becoming a hotly contested competition. 

The format for the upcoming second season (including major additional events) is set out below. 

July:

28th - Aguilas vs Bullants

August:

4th - Aguilas vs Bombers

11th - Bullants vs Bombers

25th - Colombia vs Chile (The Andes Cup)

September:

22nd - Aguilas vs Bombers

29th - Bombers vs Bullants

October:

6th - Bullants vs Aguilas

20th – Season [Grand] final

November:

3rd - Cervecería Gigante Cup [Teams] 18 vs 18

10th - End of season Cali Cricket finca weekend (To be confirmed)

17th - International Game (To be confirmed)

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AFL Canada has been looking to increase it's international competitiveness by increasing the number of representative fixtures and the Canadian Nationals are the  latest step up from the inter-provincial games held prior to the 2017 International Cup. AFL Canada has also taken development teams to England as earlier preparation.

This hasn't gone unnoticed  south of the border where the USAFL is taking a team to Ireland this year and has been holding annual  national tournaments. The following report on the Canadian Nationals is from  Zachery Brandstater,  Président of  AFL Québec. WFN thanks Zachery for his effort in producing this report.

Pic: Rob Colburn.

The Canadian Nationals tournament is an opportunity for the various entities within AFL Canada to get together and play some high quality football. AFL Canada restricts eligibility for this tournament to only those who would be eligible for the Canadian national team. As it stands British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec all support leagues in their own right so there is plenty of football across the country (over 5000 participants in 2017, including youth football programs). This network of grass roots football is contributing to a strong football identity in Canada, and it is continuing to gain momentum.

The last Nationals tournament was held in Vancouver in 2016 (last year was skipped sure to the International Cup). This year it was held in Toronto. Ontario and Québec had full teams in both the men's and women's competitions. BC and Alberta combined to field their teams as the distance proved a little tricky on Canada Day weekend for some. Nova Scotia and Winnipeg, both relatively small compared to the other jurisdictions, also put in a joint team for the men's competition.

Ontario was clearly the strongest team over the weekend, particularly in the women's. Québec managed to beat out BC/Alberta after losing to Ontario in the first game of the weekend. However, Ontario were a classy outfit and walked away with the in the final.

In the men's Québec gave Ontario some trouble during the round robin but couldn't get over the line. We won our two other games to finish second and earn a rematch against the green and gold. While there was less than a kick in it at half time we lost confidence after a couple of quick goals early in the second half, which proved to be the difference in the end. The BC/Alberta team were not a long way behind Québec, and given their limited playing time together this was a testament to their skills and the coaching group. The Nova Scotia/Winnipeg team played with great heart but couldn't overcome their more experienced opponents.

Pic: Rob Colburn. These images and more can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/afl_ontario_photos/sets/

The weather was a big factor for all involved over the weekend. With the thermometer at 35 and the humidex reading 45+ there was a big emphasis on player welfare. Thankfully everyone came away ok thanks to the abundant shade and good planning by team managers. Footy is played in the summer here as during the winter, especially in the eastern regions, winter is not conducive to playing outdoor sports.

EThereLive were on hand on the Sunday to stream matches throughout the day. The content was watched avidly by some members of AFL Québec who couldn't make it (and at least one cat). Players from various teams took turns providing the play by play commentary throughout the day.

From AFL Québec's perspective it was a very successful weekend. Both of our teams were very competitive and we had a good time to boot. We have a number of young players who made their bid for inclusion in the national squad and our coaches (Chris Shee and Luke Anderson) learned a lot which can be applied to our US Nationals trip later this year. The live stream, which is now available on YouTube, will be particularly helpful for us going forward.

At an individual level there were many outstanding performances, but special mention of three players in particular is warranted: Roxanne Besner was runner up MVP of the tournament for the women and for the men Ronan Shaughnessy and Kyle Graham, both AFL Québec veterans, took out first and second place respectively.

Overall it was a good tournament and we are thankful to AFL Canada for organising and to AFL Ontario for hosting.

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Round 18 of the 2018 AFL Season kicks off Friday night Melbourne time at Etihad Stadium with St Kilda hosting the reigning Premiers Richmond.   

The full broadcast schedule for the round can be seen below.

In addition to the TV networks you can also subscribe to the Watch AFL service that will give you live access to all the matches and more (outside Australia only).

You can access that service by clicking on the link here or the Watch AFL promo shot on the left to register and by then paying the subscription fee.

Right now Watch AFL is offering a Mid-Season Pass a big discount on the regular season pass. This pass includes all AFL Premiership season matches, the Finals Series plus access to FOX FOOTY content.

 All times subject to change - please check with your local guides ...

It is only a few more months before the new NTFL season gets underway in Darwin. However, the Territory is abuzz with the prospect that the retired Hawthorn great, Cyril Rioli will line up for a club he is poud of –St Marys – for the looming 2018/19 season. The following story from Marc McGowan at the www.afl.com.au website looks at the likely event and frames Rioli within a pantheon of great footballers from the Northern Territory who have graced the game. 

RETIRED superstar Cyril Rioli's first stop in the AFL after-life will be to visit his father in Alice Springs before honouring him by wearing his No.1 for St Mary's.  

Rioli's dad suffered a near-fatal heart attack in Grand Final week last year and required surgery, the first and most critical in a series of events that caused the brilliant Hawk to call it quits this week.

 He is revered in AFL circles for his four flags, 2015 Norm Smith Medal and triple All Australian status, but desperately wants to join his father – also named Cyril – as a St Mary's premiership player. 

Rioli's dad, who has recovered from his health scare, won an incredible 12 flags for the Darwin-based Saints and is a Northern Territory football great. 

The Hawthorn champion's cousins Shannon and Ben Rioli, Maurice Rioli jnr and Jack Long played for St Mary's last season, and Anthony Long looks set to return from injury for the new season.

The Saints' new coach is Rioli's 2008 Hawthorn premiership teammate Brent Renouf, who is married to Narelle Long, daughter of former club champion Steven. 

Part of the appeal for Rioli being back in Darwin is how he can blend in without being mobbed wherever he goes, evidenced only a fortnight ago when he ran the barbecue at a local soccer match.

AFLNT chief executive Stuart Totham has reached out to Rioli's manager, former Essendon footballer Adam Ramanauskas, but is wary not to put pressure on.

Ramanauskas met Totham's predecessor Michael Solomon in Melbourne just before Christmas to discuss Rioli's post-playing job opportunities.

"I'd absolutely love to have him involved in our organisation and talent programs," Totham told AFL.com.au.

"I'd love to see him back playing for St Mary's, the club his family has such a strong affiliation with, and I'd love to see him playing with NT Thunder. 

"His uncle (Michael Long) was an instigator of NT Thunder and his cousins are playing with the team, as well as Shannon (Rioli) being captain, so it would be fantastic to see him play."

Rioli's looming path, should he choose it, to playing football in the Top End again and earning his future bucks on AFLNT's payroll is a well-trodden one. 

Jared Brennan and Matt Campbell are two of the recent home-grown AFL footballers to not only return but also work for AFLNT.

Brennan worked with remote-living kids at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre – the home of NT football which incorporates TIO Stadium – while Campbell is AFLNT's development coach.

They played for their respective junior clubs, Southern Districts and Darwin, in the 2017-18 NTFL season and suited up for Thunder in the NEAFL since their AFL careers ended.

The unique nature of the Territory football calendar means players can basically compete all year round, with the NTFL season running from October to March. 

Many ex-AFL footballers have played for Thunder, including dual Norm Smith medallist Andrew McLeod, Richard Tambling, Brennan, Campbell, Raphael Clarke, Alwyn Davey, Jason Roe, Joe Anderson and Liam Patrick. 

Dom Barry pulled on the boots for Thunder in between playing for Melbourne and resuming his AFL career with Port Adelaide, while Xavier Clarke and Michael McLean coached the club. 

"I was CEO of Thunder when we made the phone call to Andrew McLeod after he retired and it took a while to get it sorted, but he was really keen to play," Totham said. 

"It's really hard to say what will happen, without speaking to Cyril or his manager. Cyril might not be interested."

The original story can be found at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-07/cyril-keen-to-follow-in-dads-footsteps

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Round 19 of the 2018 AFL Season kicks off Friday night Melbourne time at Etihad Stadium with Essendon hosting the Sydney Swans.   

The full broadcast schedule for the round can be seen below.

In addition to the TV networks you can also subscribe to the Watch AFL service that will give you live access to all the matches and more (outside Australia only).

You can access that service by clicking on the link here or the Watch AFL promo shot on the left to register and by then paying the subscription fee.

Right now Watch AFL is offering a Mid-Season Pass a big discount on the regular season pass. This pass includes all AFL Premiership season matches, the Finals Series plus access to FOX FOOTY content.

 All times subject to change - please check with your local guides ...

Coline Duquet is a Frenchwoman who has played women’s footy for six years. Duquet’s footy journey so far has been a decorated one.

“If I had to describe my footy journey in few words I’d say that it’s like a love story: full of passion, emotions, and magical moments of pure happiness that I shared with beautiful human beings. But it also meant some difficult challenges and, sometimes, tricky situations (like when I had to choose a club in Melbourne)”, Duquet said.

She has trained with VFLW teams Darebin and also Carlton and for two weeks. Duquet has trained with star AFLW players in Darcy Vescio, Brianna Davey, Melissa Hickey, Lauren Arnell and Aasta O’Connor.

 Credit: AFL Europe 

Duquet played for the European Crusaders at the AFL International Cup in 2017 (IC17) and in the same year she was selected in the World Team. "Of course, being named in the World Team made me very proud", she said. 

At the IC17, Duquet played in the back line. This was the first time ever she had played in this position. “I had a little bit of experience playing 18-a-side footy and we knew that the football was often going to be in our back 50”, Duquet said.

It was difficult for Duquet and her teammates who played in the back line for the European Crusaders in the IC17. “I think I cried a little after every single game: the first four because it was hard to watch all those goals going through and the last one because we won and we finally scored our first goal in the tournament”, Duquet said.

Credit: Mozzed Video and Photography

She only recently started playing with the Darebin Falcons in the VFLW. “Even though I only joined the club recently, my teammates make me feel fully part of the team and I am willing to give my best on the field for them”, Duquet said.

Duquet is so thrilled to play for a great club in Darebin. “Darebin is a legendary club for women’s footy and women’s sport in general. You can see it in the club’s rooms: the trophies, the premiership flags, the team photos”, she said. “It’s an honour to be part of it and to defend its colours on the field. I love the club’s culture, its values and, in particular, its inclusiveness”.

Duquet fell in love with footy as a whole not just women’s footy, because it’s a sport that both men and women can play. She fell in love with the game when she had her first training session at Coogee beach.

It’s a sport that breaks down gender barriers that are still highly evident in many other sports. “For me, a sport has no gender. It makes even more sense in France: the training sessions (and even the matches sometimes) are mixed”, she said. It’s never an issue and everybody, male or female, is treated the same way”.

Credit: AFL Europe 

The aspect of footy that Duquet loves the most and she holds close to her heart is that it’s more than a sport. “For me, it’s also a kind of political act (and you know that Frenchies love politics): I am a proud gay woman, footy helped me to come out and I believe that it is/we are contributing to creating safer environments for anyone who needs it (and not only LGBTQs)”.

Basketball was a sport that Duquet played before she started playing footy. “I grew up playing basketball (which I did for 12 years) and when I left my hometown to study in Strasbourg, I joined all the university teams I could: handball, basketball, rugby and soccer”, Duquet said. “I have always loved team sports in particular because whether you win or lose, you are never alone”.

Credit: Photo Dalgo

Duquet’s story shows us that our game of AFL is not only a sport that we love because of its competitiveness.

It’s a game that has the power to help those who are minorities to feel safe and have a voice when there was none. ...