The following article featured in Scotland’s Daily Record newspaper after initially being written for the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. It looks at a new dream for some young Scottish converts to Australian Rules football.

Danel Mossie discovered Australian Rules Football when he was channel-hopping one night.

Now he is dreaming of representing Scotland in the sport.

The 21-year-old from Sunnyside watched an AFL match when he couldn’t get to sleep.

And after being impressed with the no-holds barred physical sport, he decided to see if there was a chance of playing it. 

(From Left: Daniel Mossey, Kyle Christie, Jack Tuffley, Ryan McGuigan)

Such has been his progress with the Coatbridge-based North Lanarkshire Wolves, Daniel last month received a Scotland call-up.

He joined fellow Wolves team-mates Kyle Christie, Jack Tuffley and Ryan McGuigan on national service.

It has been a whirlwind few months for Daniel who is a qualified football referee and the PA announcer at League Two Albion Rovers.

But he admitted the feeling of being involved in the Scotland set-up, after being told he was involved via email, was brilliant.

He said: “I felt I did really well. One of the main coaches came up to me and said he was happy with how I performed which was good to hear.

“There are a couple more training sessions to go and I’m hoping to be chosen for the first game against Spain in May.

“I thought we all did well and learned from just being there.

“Getting the chance to represent Scotland would be a major stepping stone.

“I first got into it when I was up one night because I couldn’t sleep.

“I saw a match live on ESPN and just decided to watch it.

“I just got addicted to it. Fortunately, Nicholas McGuire started up a team called the North Lanarkshire Wolves.

“I told him I wanted to try the sport. There is a league in Scotland and hopefully it will be a good level to play at with the new season approaching fast.”

Daniel reckons Australian Rules Football is growing in popularity and says the training with Scotland was the best he’s ever experienced.

He added: “It’s getting bigger up here. There are new teams joining and a lot of younger players.

“The training had a different tempo but that is because it is international level. It was quick and skillful.

“I love football but this training was better than any I’ve ever done.”

The Scottish league season starts in May. Visit www.facebook.com/WolvesARFC for more details. ...

Footy is back. Well in the pre-season NAB Challenge format at least. The NAB Challenge will be officially launched today and will see the first match played on Thursday night (Melbourne time) at Aurora Stadium in Launceston where powerhouse Collingwood will take on reigning AFL Premiers Hawthorn.

We bring you the international broadcast schedule (below). Notably missing is NZ coverage. Free to air digital channel Sommet Sports http://sommetsports.co.nz/ that provided possibly the best free to air coverage of AFL football in the world in 2014 has collapsed financially. It seems that funds promised to the network did not come through and they have ceased broadcasting late in 2014. At the moment they are following some expressions of interest to revive their service, but at this stage that would likely be a streaming service if they are to return at all (and no guarantee they will have AFL rights).  It looks at this stage that there will be one match per week broadcast on Sky as in previous seasons for NZ unless further deals can be done.

Despite the enormous efforts of the AFL Middle east and the Oman based  Clann na hOman GAA and Muscat Magpies AFL, the team has announced it will not formally continue the current season. In a blow to the Middle East competition, the Magpies will bow out and work towards a stronger club for next season and beyond.

The president of AFL Middle East, Matt Burn, released the following statement:

Unfortunately the Muscat Magpies have withdrawn from the 2014/15 season. The Magpies have struggled for numbers since the beginning of the season and sadly the situation has only become worse over the year.

The two games played versus the Dubai Dragons and Dubai Dingoes will not be counted towards the 2014/15 season. John O'Connor, Chairman of the GAA and Muscat Magpies stated "these games have allowed us a fighting chance going into next season. With Lance's (coach of Muscat) enthusiasm and passion for AFL, I am hopeful we can turn things around going forward."

Matt Burn, GM of AFLME would like to "thank the Magpies for their hard work in trying everything possible to keep the team going for this season. People need to understand that the Magpies are made up of 90% Irish expats whose first choice of sport is Gaelic Football, which they also play across the Middle East. I am confident that next season the Magpies will be back."

If anyone in Muscat is interested in playing Australian Rules Football please contact aflmideast@gmail.com

According to John O’Connor, Chairperson for Clann na hOman GAA and Muscat Magpies AFL:

“On behalf of Muscat Magpies, we are terribly saddened that the AFL season has come to this for us. We were hopeful that by competing in a couple of games, the interest would return but instead, since December we have lost a further 3 players and are now in a position where it is difficult to field a GAA team, which makes an extra difficult situation in fielding AFL, due to a busy schedule and lack of resources.

We are extremely grateful to all the clubs for offering to travel to Muscat and hopefully the Dragons and Dingoes did not feel their trip was in vain. From our point of view, these games were very important as to not play any games in the season would most likely see the end of the Magpies. These games have allowed us a fighting chance going into next season. With Lance's enthusiasm and passion for AFL, I am hopeful we can turn things around going forward.”

It is hoped that the actions now may lead to a positive outcome whereby a recruiting drive may lead to a stronger Magpies team in the future. World Footy News will remain in contact with AFL Middle East and report any further developments.

Certainly there is a great opportunity for any interested or prospective players to contact AFL Middle East directly (via the above email link) to express their interest.

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The following article in the Herald Sun features the decision by the St Kilda AFL club to select their USA recruit, Jason Holmes, in their NAB Challenge teams this pre-season. Holmes, who has served an apprentice ship with the Sandringham VFL club, hopes to be the first player born and bred in the USA to play a senior AFL game.

FORMER college basketballer Jason Holmes has taken another step closer to becoming the first American convert to play AFL football with his inclusion in St Kilda’s NAB Challenge squad.

Holmes, drafted by the Saints as an international rookie 14 months ago, is one of two ruckmen in the squad to play Brisbane on Saturday.

Sandringham coach Paul Hudson, who has worked extensively with Holmes in his role as the Saints’ development coach, said his selection “typifies how far he’s come over the past year’’.

“When he first got here his marking and timing was out and we needed to do a lot of work on his kicking — now by no means is it the finished product, it’s a work in progress, but he’s got to the stage where he can execute under a bit more pressure now,’’ Hudson said.

“The thing that does come naturally to him, with his basketball background, is the leap in the ruck and tap work.

“His other strength is that he’s like another midfielder at the centre bounces. He doesn’t spectate, he cracks in, lays a tackle, gets involved. Because his agility is so good, he keeps his feet when the ball hits the ground and it has the effect of releasing one of our mids to get out on the spread a bit quicker.’’

Holmes is in a race with North Melbourne’s Eric Wallace and to a lesser extent Collingwood’s Mason Cox to be the first American convert to play at AFL level (West Coast premiership player Don Pyke was born in the States but was the son of WAFL player Frank Pyke and was raised in Australia).

To read the full story at the herald Sun, click the following link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/us-import-jason-holmes-picked-for-st-kildas-nab-challenge-match-against-brisbane/story-fni5f9q3-1227240553046

(Left: The imposing Jason Holmes - centre of group) Pictures courtesy of the Herald Sun

...

The following article written by Jon Ralph at the Herald Sun looks at the possibility of a new national AFL competition for women as early as 2017. The extraordinary rise in numbers for the women’s game nationally certainly warrants an extension of existing pathways for women to follow.

Here in Cairns I have had the pleasure of coaching some tremendously talented young women. Some have continued with existing pathways and opportunities, whilst others have sadly left the game. To have the ability to aspire to a national level will see more women remain in the game and pursue a broader dream.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has set in train ambitious plans for a national women’s football competition as early as 2017.

Women’s football is taking off in Victoria, with 52 senior women’s teams in seven divisions and plans for massive expansion in coming years.

Participation in organised teams was up 30 per cent last year and will again grow by that much in 2015, with plans for two Victorian country leagues next year.

Now McLachlan wants a national league to promote female football as part of a review of second-tier football across Australia.

He has been told a five-year time frame for that national league is more realistic but is pushing for its establishment within two years.

State managers will meet in coming weeks with that league high on the agenda.

Nearly $80 million is spent on football at the level under the AFL every year and AFL officials Mark Evans and Dorothy Hisgrove will lead that review.

The review will assess how that money is spent and focus on how the league can improve participation and introduce more women, children and multicultural communities to the game.

AFL Victoria competition manager of women’s football Darren Flanigan said women’s football was going gangbusters.

“It is an AFL directive and it would be great for women’s footy to have a national league or some type of semi-professional league,’’ he said.

“It is a totally amateur competition and they pay their way to play and we are going our best to minimise that cost.

“We envisage two country leagues starting next year, one in Gippsland and one on the north-east border, so we are going to be statewide before we know it.

“Most states have got strong state leagues and some have second divisions. Victoria has a lot of teams, but WA has a very strong competition and Queensland is strong.

Women’s football is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia and now has a pathway that stretches from juniors through to open-age leagues.

“There are competitions popping up everywhere around state and metropolitan Melbourne, not just youth girls but under-15s and under-12s,’’ Flanigan said.

“We are forming new teams all the time. We had nine new clubs last year and there will be similar numbers this year and there are now a critical mass of women who want to play past 18.”

Story source: Jon Ralph, Herald Sun: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl

Photo courtesy: Brett Kennerley ...

The AFL this week announced that Australia Plus has assumed the rights to broadcast matches in the Asia/Pacific region from Australia Network.  The announcement follows and appears to be a broadening of the audience.  We would like to hear from our Asia/Pacific readers how this is likely to affect them by posting a comment below.

Under the new arrangement that covers key markets across the Asia/Pacific region, Australia Plus will broadcast six matches per week during the Toyota AFL Premiership season, along with all matches in the Toyota AFL Finals Series. It will also broadcast a weekly highlights program across 28 weeks.

Patrick Emmett, Head of Television ABC International, said the reach of Australia Plus would be a great result for AFL fans outside of Australia.

"2015 is set to be the biggest year ever for AFL coverage in Asia and the Pacific with an additional 40 million people in the region having access to our weekly coverage on Australia Plus Television. 
“This year we welcome new AFL fans across India, South Korea and Japan and look forward to bringing all the colour and excitement of the final series to Chinese audiences in the Shanghai region,” Emmett said.

Australia Plus will also broadcast live each of the 21 matches in the NAB Challenge that are being covered by Fox Footy.

Separately, one match will be shown on delay on Eurosport Asia/Pacific each week with a weekly highlights program also to be shown on Eurosport Asia/Pacific.

Key markets Australia Plus broadcast into include: Bangladesh; Cook Islands; Fiji; Guam; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Japan; Macau; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Nauru; New Caledonia; Niue; Northern Marianas; Palau; Philippines; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Tonga; Vanuatu.

The AFL will continue to seek outcomes for those regions where AFL supporters cannot access the Australia Plus service and in the meantime encourages supporters in those markets to access all live matches via watchafl.afl.com.au.
 

About Australia Plus
 

In October 2014 ABC launched a new network across Asia and the Pacific – connecting Australia to business, travel and education interests in the region.

Australia Plus is a unique multi-platform media service delivered online, on mobile and through social media as well as via a new exclusive television service.

Australia Plus combines the strengths of a targeted international television service reaching more than 190 million people across Asia and the Pacific with an established and unique digital and social media network that is already engaging more than 2.3 million people a month in some of the world's largest markets. We now have over three million Facebook fans and a significant presence on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Google+,  Sina  Weibo, Soundcloud, Youku, QQ Video and We Chat.
  ...

The NAB Challenge will move into week two Thursday night (Perth time) at Fremantle Oval in Western Australia where Fremantle will host Melbourne.

We bring you the international broadcast schedule (below).  GWS vs Suns and Port Adelaide vs West Coast will not be telecast internationally on the television networks. 

It's pleasing to be able to report that former AFL Commissioner and football visionary Colin Carter continues to push the international cause despite moving back to "clubland" as Geelong Cats President.

Carter was instrumental in the emergence of the Australian Football League, with his 1985 Blue Book laying the path to a national competition, which along with the 2001 Carter Report into game development provide most of the pillars on which the League is based.  Unfortunately his push for international development and in particular a bigger South African investment has not swayed the AFL Commission sufficiently to invest large enough sums to make the dreams a reality.  AFL South Africa does continue to grow, as does international footy, but the trajectory right now suggests none of us will live to see semi-pro leagues outside of Australia or an international side ever competitive against an All-Australian side.

So it's good that Carter, a very accomplished individual outside football as well, is still advocating for an acceleration in investment.  Most involved in international football know the AFL commitment has grown overall over the last decade, but it ebbs and flows, it changes direction, it focuses on talent identification and development and on sustainability (a worthy goal) but it never really quite invests enough in any one spot for critical mass to see a true explosion.

This author, whilst uncomfortable about "picking winners" or worse "picking favourites", has slowly come to the realisation that the trajectory is unacceptably low, and in reality there will not be major money spent across all international programs.  So perhaps the best chance for the game internationally is for one or two major foci and if they can make a quantum leap forward then the confidence and blueprint will be there to be applied to other regions.  Personally this means maintaining the current program but then making the investment of an extra few million into one or two regions.  The most obvious would seem to be New Zealand with a view to an AFL club there by around 2030, South Africa with a focus on mass participation, and perhaps additional support for AFL Europe where so many countries (wealthy and closely situated) have taken up the game.  This of course begs for a backlash from Asia or North America or the rest of the Pacific.  But something has to change.

Back to Colin Carter.  You can read more of his thoughts on international footy in International clubs in AFL by 2032? and Carter on football vision, but his most recent venture is a letter to AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and CEO Gillon McLachlan.  Jon Pierik in the The Age writes that the Cats chief calls for overhaul of AFL's international agenda.  It discusses the AFL's modest efforts to stoke the sport internationally, cites lost opportunities and makes a specific plea to support South Africa.

"Despite obvious problems, Africa is increasingly seen as the next frontier of great opportunity. World Bank, IMF [International Monetary Fund] and investor assessments are positive," Carter says.

As one of Australia's sharpest business minds, and having played a key role in the transformation of the then VFL into the AFL, Carter says league bosses must confront a major question.

"Our's is arguably the oldest football competition in the world and we believe that we have the 'best game' in the world. And so, the confronting question is this: if all of this is true, why is our game only played in a few states at the bottom of Australiaω! What went wrongω"

Carter pointed to governance issues as the reasons for the sport losing "strongholds" in the ACT and Papua New Guinea, while also referencing the eventual death of a New Zealand competition in the early 1900s and what was once a "flourishing competition in South Africa built on the many soldiers who served there during the Boer War".

 "I am a believer in our northern states expansion — it is crucial for our future — but for a fraction of the cost we could also, over the next 30 years, build a participation base in South Africa that is larger than our markets in WA and SA," Carter said.

"If we could spend say $2 million to $3 million per year in South Africa plus double that in sponsorships — and manage it with discipline — it would have more impact than spending $30 million to $50 million per year in our northern states.

"The point is that South Africa is a truly unique opportunity and not to be confused with the other international opportunities. Can we start to take it seriously?

"Imagine in 2030 having several million people playing our game down there and following the Cape Town team in the AFL." ...

Thailand Tigers AFL club hold Auskick Football Clinic at Boy’s Home.

A group of Thailand Tigers and Auskick families recently (December 2014) gave up their Saturday afternoon to run a football clinic at a boy’s home for children who are less fortunate than most of us. The chance to do this was made possible by way of iCare Foundation and the organisational skills of two Tiger members, (Coxy* and Phil*) and they deserve recognition for their work.

Over 50 boys from the home turned out, with a range of ages similar to Auskick. They were split into groups and introduced to kicking, handballing, goal kicking, marking and tackling by rotating through stations run by groups of Tigers, Dads and Auskickers. The level of enthusiasm from the children was great and the boys picked up the basics very quickly; you had to remind yourself that the majority of them had never seen a footy before.

After the skills sessions the group was split into four teams and 2 matches were played, with age separating the teams. The two games were played in turn, with one set of teams watching the others play. The Tiger players and Dads also put on a quick exhibition, demonstrating positional play and kicking to targets, in addition to wheeling round and nailing long bombs from the centre square.

Everyone involved had a great time, and there were some highly talented athletes in the group. Aside from getting a chance to play our great game of Aussie Rules, it was an opportunity for the children to practice their English and forget about the terrible backgrounds that have resulted in them being at this centre through no fault of their own. It was truly heart wrenching to hear their stories.

Thanks to all involved with the day, and to the iCare Foundation for giving the club the opportunity. A special mention also to Jezza* and Nic Cox, who did a great job translating and supporting the boys; and to Dan*, Alfie* and Zac* from Bangkok Auskick who got amongst it and helped the boys learn how to play.

Special thanks to the Thailand Tigers and Auskick Dads who helped out on the day as well. The Tigers all went away keen on continuing the clinics, with many ideas about how this might happen. There is also going to be a Charity Drive in the new year to source some clothing and sporting gear for the boys. If you have anything to donate, please contact the club.

Courtesy of Thailand Tigers Australian Football Club.

*Full names will remain unknown for the present

First Australian Football Match to be played in Phuket, Thailand

Thailand Tigers take on Malaysian Warriors in first AFL Asia match for 2015

Auskick comes to Phuket

On Saturday 7th March, the Thailand Tigers will bring Aussie Rules football to Phuket. This will be the first competitive game played in Phuket, as the Tigers take on the Malaysian Warriors. The game will be preceded by an Auskick program for junior footballers. All are welcome to attend the game. Food and Drinks will available for the duration of what shapes up to be a fantastic day for all involved, with some competitive Aussie Rules football.

Courtesy of Thailand Tigers Australian Football Club.

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Festival of Sport & Footy in Da Nang, Vietnam

Central Vietnam Games - 2015

Da Nang 7th March 2015 

The Vietnam Swans are proud to announce a new initiative being led by the Swans in conjunction with the Viet Celts and Saigon Gaels Gaelic, Hanoi Dragons and Saigon Gecko’s Rugby and Hanoi Oi’s and Saigon Shooters Netball Clubs – the Central Vietnam Games, to be held in Danang on 7 March.

Through the perseverance and determination of Swannies Hall of Fame inductee and Hoi An native, Michael “MJ” Johnston and new Danang recruit Jason Carter, a fantastic old ground with ample grass to accommodate an expansive game of Aussie Rules has been booked.  An expected group of around 100 finely tuned athletes are expected to descend upon Danang for what is shaping up as a great weekend of sport.

Old rivalries will be stirred up in the Hanoi vs Saigon Aussie Rules clash, with the original Anzac Friendship Trophy up for grabs, won by Hanoi in a famous victory over Saigon in Vung Tau 2000 and retained in Hanoian Presidents’ lounge rooms ever since.

There is no doubt that the south has ruled the Vietnamese footy scene in recent years and will go into the game favorites, having the luxury of the lush grassed training fields at RMIT to prepare on and a deep playing list to choose from.

However, the cunning northerners hardened from years of grueling sessions at their modest Xuan La stadium and the various bia hoi’s around it, may yet have an ace or two up their sleeve, with some talented Viet Celts and a Central Vietnamese-Australian or two likely to make their Swans debuts to help boost the Hanoians stocks.

Swans sister club the Saigon Ladies Gaels will also be making their way to Danang fresh from their award winning 2014, which included two victories against their northern comrades the Ladies Viet Celts. If seeking revenge for their loss to the Gaels on home soil at the SAGG Plate Final wasn’t motivation enough, the VC Ladies will also be using this as a farewell game for one of the greats of Viet Celts Ladies football, Ms Claire Sauvage-Mar. The VC will no doubt be fired up to send their inspirational forward back home with a big first win against their Saigon rivals.

Many Swans are also expected to feature prominently in the Viet Celts vs Saigon Gaels mens Gaelic encounter, while the Shooters vs Oi’s womens and mixed netball clashes should also provide our Swans and Gaels with a further opportunity to shine.

“Like” the Central Vietnam Games facebook page to keep up to date with the latest developments as arrangements firm up. Recommended accommodation is currently at the Eden Plaza – Following this link supports AFL local development in Indochina with a commission going to the Indochina Bulldogs to support local players to get on tours through out the year and eventually reach our goal of attending the International Cup in 2017

Courtesy of Vietnam Swans Australian Football Club ...