Quantcast
Channel: World Footy News
Viewing all 3240 articles
Browse latest View live

AFL ASIA's ANZAC DAY events

0
0

Thanks to AFL Asia

The sport of Australian Rules football will be used to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary across Asia this Saturday through AFL Asia’s massive ANZAC ROUND of matches. Seven clubs will be hosting ANZAC matches in conjunction with dawn services in some of the most significant locations in Asia where Australian Defence Forces have previously served.

 “ANZAC matches have become a special part of playing footy in Asia.” AFL Asia President Darren Whitfield said. “Our clubs and players realise the significance of the day, using it to celebrate the relationship we have with the communities we now live in”.

AFL Asia’s ANZAC games will this year be played on Saturday 25th April in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Headlining this year’s AFL Asia Anzac Round will be reigning Asian Champions the Singapore Wombats’ first visit to Vung Tau for the Vietnam Swans’ 6th ANZAC Friendship Game, following a dawn service at the nearby Long Tan Cross Memorial.
 
The game will be played once again at the Vung Tau Greyhound track – formerly the Lord Mayor’s Oval where Vietnam Football League matches were held between Australian units from 1966 to 1971.
 
“Our ANZAC Friendship Match is our biggest game of the year” Vietnam Swans President Grant Keys said. “The history associated with Vung Tau and the support that we receive from the veterans that travel back each year makes this game so special. It defines us as a club.”
 
In Kuala Lumpur the Malaysian Warriors will be looking to continue their impressive 2-0 start to the AFL Asia season when they will host the Jakarta Bintangs following a dawn service.
 
The Warriors are the form team in AFL Asia after big away wins against the Swans and Thailand Tigers, with Warriors President Shaun Di Gregorio looking forward to the grudge match against their old rivals.
 
“We’ve got what will be one of the AFL Asia matches of 2015, two teams evenly matched with lots of history. It’s sure to be an absolute cracker of a game.” Di Gregorio said.
 
In Thailand the Thailand Tigers will return to Kanchanaburi on Saturday for the 12th annual ANZAC Commemorative Match, with a dawn service and wreath laying ceremony at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery prior to the game. The Tigers will play one of AFL Asia’s newest and most exciting clubs, the Myanmar Fighting Cocks, in what promises to be a fitting and hard-fought contest.
 
“It’s always a special privilege being able to play an ANZAC match in a place with so much history, and in front of people who were part of that history” Tigers coach Patrick Fitzgerald said.
 
While Australian ex-pat players continue to dominate Asian footy, a recent focus on local development is starting to bear fruit, no more so than in Indonesia and South China where local players will feature heavily in ANZAC fixtures.
 
In Hong Kong, the Dragons in conjunction with Port Adelaide AFL club will host an all-Chinese player exhibition game, ANZAC lunch, Auskick clinic for 300+ kids and a special ANZAC Round of the 6-team South China Australian Football League (SCAFL). The SCAFL includes two teams of Chinese players from Guangzhou.
 
In Balikpapan, Indonesia, the Borneo Bears will face off against the Jakarta Garuda’s, an all-Indonesian team that made their debut at the 2014 AFL International Cup.
 
In Manila, the Philippine Eagles will also be honouring the day with a special ANZAC round of their PAFL between the Dingos and the Eurekas, who have been battling for bragging rights in Manila since 2005.
 
In Pakistan several games have been organised across the country to commemorate the day, coordinated through the Pakistan Australian Football League.
 
For more information about AFL Asia and its clubs visit our website www.afl-asia.com
 
  ...


USAFL Weekly Report: ANZAC Week

0
0

Alex Benjamin from USAFL Weekly Report recaps the weekends matches and provides his latest USAFL Standings table (with comparison to the new USAFL rankings poll). He also looks at the matches ahead for the weekend, tells us about his personal Road to Austin walk and previews his Youtube streaming show for this week.

 USAFL Last Weekend

What can I say about the Eastern Regional Weekend except…”Expect the Unexpected…” 2 Upsets and the USAFLWR standings are turned on its head, including the USAFL Top 20 as well. Here’s how the weekend’s games went:

Eastern Regional Tournament: Fort Lauderdale

Game #1: North Carolina 4.1.25 New York 10.8.68
Game #2: Fort Lauderdale 6.7.43 New York 2.6.18
Game #3: Fort Lauderdale 7.6.48 North Carolina 3.7.25

Nashville vs. Atlanta @ Ted Rhodes Park in Nashville:
Despite being outmarked in all 4 quarters in the contest (a total of 63-47), the Nashville Kangaroos dominated the Atlanta Kookaburras and win going away 13.14.92 to 2.7.19.

Tulsa vs. Dallas @ Tulsa’s Veterans Park:
Despite a valiant effort by the Buffaloes in the first half, the Magpies are on the comeback trail and dominated the game going away by a final score of 15.19.109 to 8.4.52.

How USAFL Weekly Review Standings are calculated;

During the season:
Full games (4-quarter): Wins counts exactly like AFL, 4 points for win and 2 points for tie.
Tournament/Metro Games (Halves): Wins count 2 points for the win and 1 point for tie with exception of 18 a side four quarter matches, then they will count just as full games.

Metro 10s (Halves): Wins counts 1 point for the win and ½ point for tie.

At Nationals:
All Round Robin Games: 4 points for the win and 2 points for a tie.
The winners of the pool go to the Grand Final and the winner of those Grand Finals will take 8 points for the win.

So from the weekend with the 2 upset wins, Fort Lauderdale is 2-2 with 8 points and will be 1st in the USAFLWR standings. New York’s win against North Carolina will put them at 1-1 and currently in 6th while North Carolina will be at 0-2 and will be 10th.  Nashville with the win are 2-1 with 5 points and will be in 2nd in the USAFLWR while Atlanta will be in 8th.  Dallas Magpies are 1-0 with 4 points and will be in 5th while Tulsa is in 10th at 0-1.  The full standings are below.

Men's

USAFL Poll Ranking

USAFLWR Standing

Team

W-L-T

PF

PA

Pct.

Points

20

1

Fort Lauderdale Fighting Squids

2-2-0

102

160

63.75

8

13

2

Nashville Kangaroos

2-1-0

143

60

238.33

5

3

3

Austin Crows

2-0-0

96

20

480.00

4

6

4

Golden Gate Roos

1-0-0

41

15

273.33

4

10

5

Dallas Magpies

1-0-0

109

52

209.62

4

1

6

New York Magpies

1-1-0

86

68

126.47

4

9

7

Houston Lonestars

1-1-0

54

25

216.00

2

24

8

Atlanta Kookaburras

1-2-0

60

143

41.96

1

 

9

Tulsa Buffaloes

0-1-0

52

109

47.71

0

 

10

North Carolina Tigers

0-2-0

50

115

43.48

0

 

11

Sacramento Suns

0-1-0

15

41

36.58

0

(Ed. Note for those not familiar with the USAFL the number of matches that teams play vary markedly and many teams do not play each other or in a home and away format, thus the impetus for the polling ranking system based on informed opinion versus Alex's table of standings based on actual results.  Of course neither is conclusive as to who the best team actually is - for that we have the USAFL Nationals to decide.  But they do both offer interesting talking points on who is better than who.)

Women's

USAFLWR Standing

Team

W-L-T

PF

PA

Pct.

Points

1

San Francisco Iron Maiden

1-0-0

22

16

137.50

4

2

Sacramento Lady Suns

0-1-0

16

22

72.73

0


This Weekend’s Games

This  ANZAC Weekend the USAFL has games in 3 cities, 2 in Ohio and in Houston.  All 3 games are full 4-quarter games and will count 4 points in the USAFLWR standings.

Game One: (#9 USAFL) Columbus @ Cleveland: Saturday @ 2 pm CT
The newly reformed Cleveland Cannons will take on the powerhouse Columbus Jackaroos. I expect a blowout by the Jackaroos in this game.

Game Two: Indianapolis @ (#18 USAFL) Cincinnati: Saturday @ 3 pm CT
At Point Pleasant Park in Cincinnati the Dockers begin their 2015 season against the Indianapolis Giants. Both teams are coming off a decent showing at the 2014 Nationals and I expect a tight game this Saturday.

Game Three: 2015 Ruggles Cup: Baton Rouge @ (#9 USAFL) #7 Houston
The Houston Lonestars take on the Baton Rouge Tigers. As a team trying to right the ship after a very disappointing 2014, Baton Rouge is hopeful for a better showing in 2015 as they begin against the rising powerhouse in Houston. I expect an easy win for the Lonestars and for them to move to 1st in the USAFLWR.

Recaps next week and on Sunday’s show.

The Road To Austin

At the beginning of the year, several of my friends gave me a challenge to bring down the weight from where I was last year, which was 276 lbs. (125.20 kg). So, last November, I began a new task to bring the weight down and so far, I have done a 5k (the Nashville Zoo Run Run on 25 January), a 10K (2 weeks ago @ Purity Moosic City 10K) and 15k (Hot Chocolate 15K on Valentine’s Day) on my way to do the distance between my home in Smyrna and the Division One field at this year’s Nationals @ Onion Creek Soccer Fields in Austin, TX, which is 915 miles (1472 km).

After another busy week on the road, including a 2nd week in a row of an event (Nashville vs. Atlanta, yesterday), once again, I made it past 20 miles once again. The progress stats are: Weight: now 261.2 lbs. Distance this week: 22.73 mi. Distance overall: 284.39 mi. Pace: 273.25 mi +/-: +9.14 mi. Distance to goal: 630.61 mi. Days to go: 256


This Week’s Show

This week, we will be on our 4th of the year @ 1 pm Sunday 26th April USA Central Time. We will have AFL News with Lisa Albergo, our recap of Week 4 in the AFL, AFL Picks for Week 5, USAFL Women’s with Carolyn Poulos as she recaps the Freedom and Liberty camp in Phoenix, USAFL Mens (Alex Benjamin) and a new section where you can ask questions via USAFL Weekly Report’s Facebook page. You can also use the comment in World Footy News as well as Twitter. On Twitter you can use the #USAFLWRQA. Our final segment is a preview of next week’s show, which will be on its normal time @ 4 pm CT. The show will be shown live via YouTube. To look for us, type in USAFL Weekly Show in the search on the main page.

  ...

US ANZAC Day Commemorations 2015

0
0

The following list of ANZAC Day commemorations across the USA is thanks to the USAFL -the original article appears here.

100 years ago, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, better known as the ANZACs, fought against enemy forces in the Battle of Gallipoli. The bravery and sacrifice of the men who fought that battle in 1915, and every man and woman who has served afterwards, are remembered and commemorated every April 25th.

Though ANZAC Day is an occasion of solemn reflection and gratitude to for those who have dedicated their lives defending Australia, it is a also a celebration of the identity of her people that was forged over a century ago and that continues to grow and thrive into the future.

Australians everywhere will be marking ANZAC Day 2015 in a variety of different ways, and the US is no exception. From memorial services to games of 2-up to watch parties for the always enormous Bombers-Magpies game from the MCG, here is a look at what's going on this weekend:

 

Austin, TX
Where: The Market rooftop bar (319 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701).
When: Sat 25 Apr 12pm CT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1569484169966722/

Boomerang's Pies will be there with their famous meat pies and sausage rolls plus there will be plenty of entertainment. The traditional Anzac Day Aussie Rules football game of Essendon vs Collingwood will be playing on the big screens. There will also be games like Two Up and Acey Deucey being played throughout the afternoon. All ages are welcome to join. Youngsters under the age of 21 will be able to stay at the bar until 3pm but everyone else can kick on after that.

Boston, MA
ANZAC Day Service
Where: Appelton Chapel, Memorial Church, 1 Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA
When: Sat 25 Apr 10am-1pm ET

Chicago, IL
Where: Templestowe Pub, 3135 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
When: Sat 25 Apr Noon CT
Info: There will be a 2Up game and the Essendon V Collingwood replay.

Cincinnati, OH
Location: Point Pleasant Park on Resor Rd in Fairfield Ohio
Noon Game 1 - Louisville Kings vs Cincinnati Dockers
1pm Game 2 - Louisville Kings vs Indianapolis Giants
2pm Game 3 - Indianapolis Giants vs Cincinnati Dockers

We will have a moments of silence as well as education to those in attendance about the meaning of ANZAC Day.

Dallas, TX
Where: Barley House 5612 Smu Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75206
When: Sat 25 Apr 2-9pm CT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1747562922136767/

It all starts at 10am with the Dallas Magpies intra-club ‘praccy’ match down at Crowley Park. We urge all players to bring down their friends for a kick or just to support and enjoy the game. All new players can play and are welcomed. We should finish up at about 12pm. At 2pm we have a ripper set up down at our newest and of course favourite Club sponsor bar - The Barley House.

The Barley House will be playing Essendon vs Collingwood on the big screens, so do not check the score and watch the game with us whilst having a froffy or ten. There will be a BBQ and plenty of great refreshments to wash down some snags, rissoles and wings.

Denver, CO
Where: Three Lions Pub, 2239 E Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado 80206
When: Fri 24 Apr 8pm MT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1412711945713703/

Come join the Bulldogs as we kick off our 2015 season at Three Lions Pub. We will have $5 20oz Carlsberg and $3 20oz Coors Light specials all night as we watch the Collingwood Magpies take on the Essendon Bombers in the ANZAC Day Clash. The party starts at 8pm, and the game goes live at 10:40pm. Bring your friends and come join the fun.

Houston, TX
Where: The Phoenix on Westheimer; 1915 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas, 77098
When: Saturday 25th April 4-7pm CT

The Houston Lonestars are once again proud to host a commorative afternoon to honor those who fought so courageously in WW1, particularly on the beaches of Gallipoli 100 years ago.

~General Admin Tickets $25 Pre-Paid. $30 At Door.
~Lonestars Members $20.
~Non-Beer Drinkers $10. *Other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available at bar prices.
~Kids FREE.

Afternoon includes: 3 Hours of Karbach Beer on tap, Replay of Ess vs Coll Anzac Day AFL Clash on the big screen, Aussie Menu, Anzac Biscuits, Two-Up Competition, Aussie Goodie Pack Raffles and more. A portion of proceeds raised will go towards the 2015 Anzac Day Appeal to support past and present servicemen.

*Pre-Paid tickets will go into draw for 2 tickets to the just released and highly acclaimed Russell Crowe WW1 Australian movie 'The Water Diviner' this Friday night 7.30pm at AMC Studio 30 PLUS a new 2015 Houston Lonestars T-Shirt! Prize will be drawn 12pm Friday April 24th. EVERYONE WELCOME!!

Los Angeles, CA
Where: The Parlor, 7250 Melrose Ave, LA 90046
When: Fri 24 Apr 9pm PT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1624668481101234/

The LA Dragons will be converging on the Parlor in West Hollywood to watch the Anzac Day clash between Essendon & Collingwood this Friday, April 24th @ 9:00pm. For those that don't know much about Australian football, this is one of the biggest games of the year. Come down for a few beers & watch the game with Dragons players past & present. It's always a blockbuster game!

Milwaukee, WI
Where: Waukesha County Airport:
When: Sat 25 Apr 1-3pm CT

MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2PM SHARP. PLEASE ARRIVE WELL BEFORE 1:30PM TO TAKE PART IN THE SERVICE. SAUSAGE SIZZLE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 1P, SERVICE AT 2PM FOLLOWED BY CRICKET AND FOOTY AND ARVO TEA. (Please bring any footy and cricket supplies you have and any Aussie War Memorabilia for the display)

COST: $10 PER PERSON AND $5 FOR KIDS UNDER 18 SAUSAGE SIZZLE AND ALL DRINKS INCLUDED. PLEASE BRING A SALAD, SIDE DISH, OR DESSERT TO SHARE

Nashville, TN
Where: AMOT Eatery: A Matter of Taste (gluten free) 1100 Fatherland St., Nashville, TN 37206
When: Sunday April 26 7pm to 9pm
Nashville ANZAC Day Casual Hang

New York, NY
Where: Galway Pub
When: Fri 24 Apr 9pm-4am ET
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1604972876405599/

Come and watch the biggest AFL home and away footy game of the 2015 season with the New York Magpies, NYC's only Aussie Rules team!! Collingwood vs. Essendon will battle it out in the annual ANZAC Day game, live from Melbourne at midnight New York time

To warm up for the game the Magpies will be running games, including traditional Aussie "Two-Up", playing Live Aussie Music and a formal ANZAC Day ceremony with the Last Post and Reveille. Drew de Carvalho, The Voice of Australia in America will be running the mic.

$5 Coopers beer all night and Aussie Wine specials

Portland, OR
Where: Portland City Hall
When: Sat 25 Apr, 8am PT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1607463152808710/

This will be the 2nd of two events. We will be meeting in front of Portland City Hall for a short memorial ceremony, followed by breakfast at Pacific Pie Company on NW 23rd and Savier at 9am. Please share this event with other Kiwis and Aussies as we would love to reach everyone

San Francisco, CA
Where: Danny Coyle’s, 668 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
When: Fri 24 Apr 8pm PT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/420436394800217/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-australian-football-anzac-day-match-ti...

We are hosting a live ANZAC game viewing party on the night of Friday, April 24 at Danny Coyle's in San Francisco. This event has limited space, and will be open to the public, so make sure to grab your ticket now. Tickets are $20, but the first 20 people to buy them get a $5 discount. All tickets come with a drink voucher.

Seattle, WA
Where: Logic20/20, 1505 Westlake Ave N, Suite 320, Seattle, Washington 98109
When: Sat 25 Apr 5am PT
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/420630538107770/

This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Armed Corp (ANZAC) troops landing on the shores of Gallipoli (Turkey) during the First World War. Logic20/20 is proud to sponsor the first ever ANZAC Day Dawn Service to be held in Seattle at Lake Union Park (next to MOHAI). The Dawn Service will start at sunrise and will be followed by coffee and light breakfast, courtesy of Kangaroo & Kiwi.

Please join us on the morning of April 25th to commemorate the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day and the fallen soldiers of Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, England, and other Allied forces who helped support the freedom that we have today.

Tulsa, OK
Sunrise ANZAC Day Service
Where: McNair Hall, Fort Sill, OK
When: Fri 24 Apr, 5:40am CT ...

Australian U17’s to take on NZ Hawks!

0
0
As part of the AFL extravaganza happening in Wellington around the Anzac day clash between the St Kilda Saints and Carlton Blues the AFL Academy U17’s will tour playing their third annual game against NZ’s finest.

The Level One side (selected after the AFL U 16 Championships last year) include Ben Ainsworth who is a powerful small forward who leaps high, has a powerful burst of speed and can kick a goal from nothing.

Until this week, he has used those traits as a player for local club Morwell, TAC Cup team Gippsland Power and representative side Vic Country. Now he will face the New Zealand Hawks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington as part of the 100-year anniversary of Anzac Day.


The game is the centre point of the Academy's five-day tour of New Zealand, which has been moved to April for the first time this year after previously being held in January.

Ainsworth told AFL.com.au. "It should be a privilege to represent my country around Anzac Day and it will be a great experience."

Most AFL clubs will send a scout on the trip to get an early look at the 2016 draft pool, and Ainsworth is keen to follow others in recent years who have established themselves as strong prospects with standout games in New Zealand.

"I already knew it was a big match for us, but when I saw on the itinerary that we'd be having meetings with AFL clubs after the game I realised it's important," he said.

"There's a few big names like Jack Billings and Jarrod Pickett who have played well in these games, so if you impress recruiters it can get your name out there a little bit more for the upcoming draft."

The squad of 25 and coach Brenton Sanderson will also attend the St Kilda and Carlton clash at Westpac Stadium. Sanderson is assisted by AFL legends Brad Johnson, Glen Jakovich, Matthew Lloyd, Brad Ottens and Lenny Hayes.

Already several players in the squad, including Ainsworth, West Australian pair Sam Petrevski-Seton and Sam Powell-Pepper, and Victorians Will Brodie and Jarrod Berry, have shown excellent signs as bottom-aged draft hopefuls.
The Kiwis will certainly be a formidable team with many having played regularly for their country

The New Zealand Hawks last played the AFL Academy in January 2014, in a match going to the AFL Academy in the dying minutes of the game to snatch the lead back from the NZ Hawks.

The Hawks squad will blend youth and experience, and feature New Zealanders based both around the country and in Australia. Contingents of players are currently training in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Many of the named New Zealand Hawks have represented their country before, including in the 2014 fixture against the AIS AFL Academy and International Cup 2014.

There are seven new inclusions to the team from the 2014 International Cup team. Stan Chung of the Eastern Bulldogs, Wellington and the last six earning their first senior caps Utu Ah Kuoi of Wellington College, Masiu Vainikolo, head boy of Western Heights High School in Rotorua, Barclay Miller of Middleton Grange School Canterbury, Liam Beattie of University Blues FC Auckland, Jarred Percival of Bulldogs AFC Canterbury and Waylon Baker of North City Demons Wellington.

The presence of AFL International Scholarship players Siope Ngata, Joe Baker-Thomas and Barclay Miller will make for an intriguing contest with their AFL Academy peers. Baker-Thomas, Miller and Ngata of the St Kilda Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club respectively, are seen as potential future professional AFL players. Their performance against the AIS AFL Academy will be a key measure of their progress.

New Zealand Hawks 2015
Head Coach: Andrew Congalton – Canterbury
Assistant Coach: Rob Malone – Auckland
Assistant Coach: Mark McKenzie – Hawthorn FC
Assistant Coach: Peta Searle – St Kilda FC
Runner: Te Kopa Tipene-Thomas – Northland
Manager: Ken Ah Kuoi – Wellington
Physio: Skye Renes – Northland

Players
Michael Boyce, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Kyle Smith, Christchurch Bulldogs, Canterbury
Sam McKenzie, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Utusa’itoa Ah Kuoi, Wellington College, Wellington
Stan Chung, Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs, Wellington
Justin Clark, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Andrew Howison, Oakleigh Districts, Victoria
Tim Morton, Uni Blues, Auckland
Jarred Percival, Christchurch Bulldogs, Canterbury
Cam Lubransky, Melbourne
Jared Court, Eastern Blues, Canterbury
Liam Beattie, Uni Blues, Auckland
Levi Inglis, Eastern Blues, Canterbury
Siope Ngata, Uni Blues, Auckland
William Gregson, Waitakere, Auckland
Aaron Harris, Uni Blues, VAFA, Victoria
Masiu Vainikolo, Western Heights High School, Rotorua
Ty Smith, North Shore Tigers, Auckland
Brendan Clark, Maroochydore Roos, Queensland
Chris Mundell, Uni Blues, Auckland
Barclay Miller, Middleton Grange School, Canterbury
Michael Gregson, Waitakere Magpies, Auckland
Joe Baker-Thomas, Sandringham Zebras, Victoria,
Waylon Baker, North City Demons, Wellington

For more information:-
http://aflnz.co.nz/senior-nz-hawks-sq...announced/
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/...their-mark
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-22...op-on-show ...

Afghanistan To Witness ANZAC Spirit

0
0

 

Australian Rules football has slowly and surely spread its influence to all corners of the world. Many times it is expats going abroad from Australian to other countries, but many other overseas seeds were planted by service men and women in many locations.

 

There are famous accounts of impromptu matches suddenly erupting on some of the world’s most famous battle fields. The match being played on ANZAC Day in the French town of Villers-Bretonneaux, on the Somme, celebrates wartime accounts of matches played on the site of the Australian War Memorial.

 

Often the seeds of our sport, planted in wartime, burst into flower in the future.

 

Ben Guthrie from www.afl.com reports that Australian and New Zealand troops stationed and serving in Afghanistan will be playing an ANZAC Day footy match. 

 

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand troops fighting in Afghanistan have participated in a game of footy to commemorate the centenary of Anzac Day.

 

The match was played on April 21 at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy, with the League, Collingwood and Essendon lending support by providing jumpers and other equipment.

 

The teams wore Collingwood and Essendon jumpers, with the team sporting red and black prevailing in what was a low-scoring game played on what may be Kabul's only AFL ground.

 

The soldiers signed the jumpers they wore in the match. Collingwood and Essendon players have also signed the guernseys with their respective numbers.

 

Proceeds from the sale of the jumpers will go towards the Soldier On campaign, which sees Australians coming together to show their support for our physically and psychologically wounded.

 

Australia has approximately 400 Australian defence force personnel deployed across Afghanistan in a variety of roles as part of Operation Highroad, supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

 

 

Bid for the jumpers at www.allbids.com.au/soldieron

 

(Picture - www.afl.com)

 

Original story found at: www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-24/celebrating-the-anzacs-with-footy-in-afghanistan  

...

New club takes Giant Strides at the Haggis Cup

0
0

This article courtesy of Michael Douglas from the Greater Glasgow Giants.

The Greater Glasgow Giants made their competitive debut at the 2015 Haggis Cup, an annual invitational tournament held in Scotland every April. This year’s event took place in Edinburgh and, with experience levels ranging from 20 years to a few weeks, the Giants’ squad started the tournament excited to develop and get vital game time ahead of the 2015 season starting in May.

They faced a daunting task in the opening match as the Huddersfield Rams had brought a squad full of experience and littered with England internationals. The game went to the wire with the Rams coming out on top by 2 points, the Giants got off to a slow start but came back strong in the 2nd half finding themselves unlucky not to snatch victory late on as they had the chances!

Game 2 was decisive as the Giants squared off against another new team in the shape of the Falkirk Silverbacks. Falkirk had won their first game so the Giants knew they had to win convincingly to clinch a berth in the Semi-finals. Again the Giants started slowly but their effort in defence was fantastic and they had kicked the only goal of the game when half-time came around.

The second half saw the offensive side match the defensive effort and the Giants ran out convincing winners, kicking 4 second half goals and the Silverbacks only managing one behind against a mean Giants back line. The performance and result was good enough to claim a semi-final berth!

The semi-final will probably go down as the best game of the day as the Giants faced a cross city derby against the Glasgow Sharks. With the Giants having 5 ex-Sharks in their line-up this was a game with pride as well as a spot in the final at stake. The Sharks got on top with an early goal in a game fiercely contested from the first bounce but always played with a great spirit. The second half saw the Sharks lead by 9 points late on but after one former Shark in Steve Thompson kicked a goal to reduce the deficit to 3, another one (Michael Douglas) converted a close range set shot in the last minute to seal a 23-20 victory and a rematch with the Huddersfield Rams in the final.

A wicked cross wind created havoc during the final and the game was probably one step too far for the Giants after the high of the derby victory. The Rams ran out deserved winners of the tournament going through the day undefeated.

The Giants entered the Haggis Cup looking to take baby steps in the run up to the 2015 season. Instead they took Giant strides and now look forward to Opening Day on the 9th May with a new confidence gained from a day of phenomenal effort and more than a bit of skill!!

...

Racial Vilification: A Threat To Multicultural and International Development

0
0

The recent allegation of racial vilification aimed at Richmond footballer Bachar Houli is a worrying sign. Whilst the journalist involved has apologised and does not recall having labelled Houli as a "terrorist", the mere fact that there might be a perceived vilifying link is disturbing on so many levels.

Whilst the ramifications go all the way to the rights of all people to a life without threats, bullying, stereotyping and fear, there is also a lesser argument that football codes, in this case Australian Rules football, will be damaged as a brand by the actions of a small minority.

This incident come just over a week after Western Bulldogs player, Lin Jong, was the target of racial slurs. His lineage is both East Timorese and Taiwanese. Richmond's Chief Executive, Brendon Gale stated to the AFL's website that ""Lin Jong is a fine young player and we should be celebrating the diversity he brings to our game."

Likewise, Bachar Houli's contribution to the game in terms of the development of multicultural markets for our game should be applauded and widely recognised. Racial slurs, whether in jest, without thought or deliberately targeted have absolutely no place in our game, or any sport, and all that can be done needs to be so stamp out racial slurs.
But that is easier said than done. Racism has been at the centre of a push within the indigenous Australians to outlaw vilification from the days when both Nicky Winmar and Michael Long made their stands. At least, that is the high profile brought to light by these two players and their own galling incidents, but a level of slurring has been known, if not well documented, from the first days of indigenous and multicultural players.

I only need to call on my own memories of the abuse I heard directed at Jimmy Krakouer at VFL Park, Phil Krakouer at Arden Street and Maurice Rioli on one occasion at the MCG to know that an idiot few have always been on hand to tear down the wonderful steps forward made by most of the rest of the footballing public - players and fans alike.

This deplorable habit continues today with high profile vilification of players such as Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin, Neville Jetta and more.

As more indigenous players took to the game, it seemed that racial abuse grew exponentially. In an article written in The Age newspaper in 2013, matthew Klugman and gary Osmond wote that "The image of Winmar pointing with pride to his dark skin continues to be shown over and over again, turning up in newspapers, posters, and street art. Its power lies not only in the effect it had, but in its compelling call for change that is yet to come. The horrid shouts of a few deluded fans will be quickly dealt with. But damaging assumptions of inferiority remain."

That statement can now also be seen creeping into the era of the players from a wider range of international backgrounds. It seems that it is the unalienable right of some (thankfully few) football followers - I dare not call them supporters - to make racial comments and slurs and somehow claim it to be "the Australian way".

Well, if the ambassadors of the game at any level (players, administrators, volunteers) are to succeed in selling Australian football to new and growing multicultural and international markets then all vilification has to be removed. How can a mother and father from a Muslim family safely consider our game as an option for their child when a player like Bachar Houli - a role model to all Muslim youth - can be vilified. the same can be said for burgeoning Asian markets when players like Lin Jong are subject to taunts and abuse.

There is no magic wand to be waved. If there was it would have been used to banish bullying forever and now be aimed at vilification. Laws that have been written can protect to a degree, but they cannot stop those who are not caught. The answer seems to lie in a concerted effort by all who value the people of all nations, beliefs and backgrounds to work and work and work relentlessly to gradually reduce the problem. There may one day be a world with less racism and greater tolerance than we have now. No matter how Utopian that might be, it must be the direction we try to head.

The teams I coach up here in Cairns are 90% indigenous, with growing markets from Africa and the South Pacific. I still hear the racial taunts directed at my own team, much less others. Surely that cannot be seen as supporting your own team. It is racism - blatant, intolerant racism.

If we hope to have any positive impact at local levels of the game we must see the change accepted at the highest levels. I refer here to the followers in the crowds who need to change.

If they don't then all attempts to continue to foster Australian Rules football as the safest and most enjoyable sport for kids to play will forever be at risk.

In my own role as a Multicultural Community Ambassador I am building as many bridges as I possibly can through schools, communities and clubs, but my efforts will be dented by the continued idiocy of those who harbor hate or ignorance - or both.

Racial vilification - at all levels and in all situations - has to stop. I will try to do my own microscopic bit. I hope others will continue to do so also.

It would be the greatest win in football histo ...

AFL London 2015 Season Commences

0
0

The brand new season for AFL London got under way last weekend with two huge magnets dominating the program. The Premiership League kicked off with a grand-final replay between the West London Wildcats and the Wandsworth Demons. Equally exciting was the first women’s match in the AFL London competition when the South East London Giants took on the North London Lions.

 

The following reports from the AFL London website give the details of the weekend’s matches.

 

Round 1 Premiership Results:

Round 1 saw some great games of footy in the sunshine here in London, including the huge grand final rematch between the Wildcats and the Demons. Results were:

 

Wildcats 12.7.79 def Demons 9.8.62

Swans  6.6.42 def by Lions 15.14.104

Hawks 15.15.105 def Magpies 4.6.30

 

Round 1 Women’s Results:

The first ever game of Women’s Aussie Rules in London was held on Saturday. It’s the South East London Giants Versus the North London Lions.  A great game was played in very good spirits, and the Giants were too slick and well drilled for a Lions team that were a little short on numbers on the day.  A great effort by all involved and a very good start to the first ever AFL London Women’s competition

 

Giants 14.7.91 def Lions 4.1.25

 

Round 1 Conference Results:

She Bu Raiders 15.14.104 def Clapham Demons 0.1.1

London Swans 3.7.25 def by Regents Park Lions 7.6.48

 

Round 1 Social Results:

Ealing Emu’s 7.12.54 def South London Demons 1.4.10

Balham Hawks 12.14.86 def Fulham Magpies 1.2.8

South East London Giants 7.5.47 def Reading Roo’s 7.4.46

 

With the Bank Holiday bye next weekend, fans and followers will wait for the next round on Saturday 9th May. Premiership Round matches will see:

Wandsworth Demons v North London Lions

Putney Magpies v West London Wildcats

Wimbledon Hawks v London Swans

For full AFL London fixtures go to: http://www.afllondon.com/2015FixPrem ...


2015 AFL Round 5 - International broadcast schedules

0
0

 

AFL Round 5 kicks off with the blockbuster clash of Carlton vs Collingwood at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday night.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

NetworkRegion Carl v CollRich v GeelSyd vs WBGC vs BrisNM vs HawWCE vs GWSMelb v FreoStK v EssAdel v Pt AdHighlights
Australia PlusAsiaAsia1/5 @ 1730 HKT (LIVE)2/5 @ 0900 IST (LIVE)-2/5 @ 1430 HKT (LIVE)-2/5 @ 1730 HKT (LIVE)3/5 @ 1100 HKT (LIVE)-3/5 2 1200 IST (LIVE)6/5 @ 0200 HKT
Australia PlusPacificPacific1/5 @ 2330 FJT (LIVE)2/5 @ 1130 HKT (LIVE)-2/5 @ 1830 FJT (LIVE)-2/5 @ 2130 FJT (LIVE)3/5 @ 1500 FJT (LIVE)-3/5 @ 1430 HKT (LIVE)6/5 @ 0600 FJT
Australia PlusIndiaIndia1/5 @ 1500 IST (LIVE)2/5 @ 1530 FJT (LIVE)-2/5 @ 1200 IST (LIVE)-2/5 @ 1500 IST (LIVE)3/5 @ 0830 IST (LIVE)- 5/5 @ 2330 IST
ESPN BT SportUK & IrelandUK & Ireland1/5 @ 1030 BST (LIVE)2/5 @ 0430 BST (LIVE)-2/5 @ 0730 BST (LIVE)2/5 @ 1030 BST (LIVE)---3/5 @ 0730 BST (LIVE)5/5 @ 2200 BST
ESPNCaribbeanCaribbean----2/5 @ 0500 ET (LIVE)----7/5 @ 0200 ET
EUROSPORT2EuropeEurope---2/5 @ 0830 CET (LIVE)-----5/5 @ 2200 CET
EUROSPORT3UK & IrelandUK & Ireland---4/5 @ 2300 BST (Delay)-----5/5 @ 2315 BST
EUROSPORT4AsiaAsia---2/5 @ 1530 HKT Delay)------
FOX SPORTSUSAUSA--2/5 @ 0000 ET (LIVE)---2/5 @ 2300 ET (LIVE)---
FOX SOCCER PLUSUSAUSA-1/5 @ 2330 ET (LIVE)------2/5 @ 0230 ET (LIVE)4/5 @ 1700 ET
ORBIT SHOWTIMEMiddle EastMiddle East1/5 @ 0930 GMT (LIVE)2/5 @ 0345 GMT (LIVE)--2/5 @ 0900 GMT (LIVE)---3/5 @ 0630 GMT (LIVE)4/5 @ 1700 GMT
OTLSMWorldwide (Boats & Cruises)Worldwide (Boats & Cruises)1/5 @ 0950 GMT (LIVE)---2/5 2 0920 GMT (LIVE)-----
SKY SPORTSNew ZealandNew Zealand--------4/5 @ 0000 NZT (Delay)5/5 @ 1830 NZT
TSN2CanadaCanada-2/5 @ 1630 ET (Delay)------3/5 @ 0230 ET (LIVE)TSN.ca
CLARO SPORTSLatin AmericaLatin America2/5 @ 0800 CTU (LIVE)---------
WATCHAFL.COM.AUWorldwide (excl. Australia) Worldwide (excl. Australia) 1/5 @ 0950 GMT (LIVE) 2/5 @ 0345 GMT (LIVE) 2/5 @ 0410 GMT (LIVE) 2/5 @ 0635 GMT (LIVE) 2/5 @ 0920 GMT (LIVE) 2/5 @ 0940 GMT (LIVE) 3/5 @ 0310 GMT (LIVE) 3/5 @ 0520 GMT (LIVE) 3/5 @ 0640 GMT (LIVE) -

The broadcast schedule is published here in good faith from schedules provided by the AFL.  All schedules may be subject to change. ...

Rampant Mozzies Bite Again: AFLCNE Round Two

0
0

Here in tropical North Queensland “rampant mozzies” might mean disease carrying insects, but across central England it might equally mean the powerhouse Aussie Rules team from Manchester. Such was the case in Round Two action last weekend as AFLCNE teams gathered in combat on the footy fields and commemorated combat with pre-match recognition of ANZAC Day.

 

The round was hosted by both Sheffield and Huddersfield. The Thunder played the visiting Tyne Tees Tigers and also hosted the second match between the Birmingham Bears and Manchester Mosquitoes. The Huddersfield Rams played host to the visiting Wolverhampton Wolverines. The Nottingham Scorpions had the bye.

 

 

Thunder started their season in fine style after the first round bye, downing a spirited Tigers by 97 points. The Mozzies put the Bears to the sword to the tune of 59 points, enhancing their premiership prospects further, whilst in Huddersfield the Rams were too good for the Wolverines on the day, home by 63 points.

 

Round Two Results:

Sheffield Thunder   22.18 (150) def. Tyne Tees Tigers  7.11 (53)

Birmingham Bears  8.5 (53) def. by Manchester Mosquitoes  16.16 (112)

Huddersfield Rams  15.22 (112) def. Wolverhampton Wolverines  5.19 (49)

 

AFLCNE Ladder: Round Two

TeamPlayedWonLostDrawForAgst%Points
Manchester 2200262 92284.788
Sheffield110015053284.024
Wolverhampton2110198139142.454
Huddersfield211015119975.884
Birmingham211014320071.504
Nottingham1010889097.780
Tyne Tees20208029926.760

 

Next Round:

Nottingham Scorpions v Huddersfield Rams (Nottingham)

Sheffield Thunder v Wolverhampton Wolverines (Nottingham)

Tyne Tees Tigers v Manchester Mosquitoes (Tyne Tees)

 

Bye: Birmingham Bears

 

 

 

  ...

The Long Walk: Essendon Football Club Press Release

0
0

 

The following is a press release from the Essendon Football Club looking at the upcoming 20th anniversary of the events which led to the changes of AFL racial vilification laws and the Michael Long inspired “The Long Walk”.

 

The Long Walk Launch

Twenty years on from their history changing moment on the MCG, Michael Long and Damian Monkhorst were reunited at the famous ground to launch this year’s The Long Walk.

The theme of this year’s The Long Walk is ‘Together’, and it was fitting that Long and Monkhorst shared their memories of the 1995 ANZAC Day Clash and the AFL’s vilification policy which was born out of the fallout. 

 

“This was a game changer in that moment for the positive and the right things that we see now. You see so many different cultures playing this great game and I don’t think we realise how much that moment changed our great game,” Long said.

 

“The goodness and the leadership shown by Damian, is something that we truly don’t understand. It’s done so much for our game and society, which has translated to our supporters outside the fence and to our sporting codes which adopted the AFL’s vilification code.”

Two decades on Monkhorst said while he is still embarrassed by his actions he is pleased to see the game no longer tolerates discrimination of any kind.

“I made a terrible mistake in the heat of the battle,” Monkhorst said.

“I’m really proud of Longy, the way he took a stance and it has certainly helped the boys playing the game today, and it’s made it so much easier for them to enjoy the game and to not cop the hardship out on the oval.”

Former Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy, former AFL CEO Ross Oakley and respected journalist Martin Flanagan joined the pair to share their thoughts on how the game has improved since that moment.

Sheedy said he has no doubt Long’s stance is a moment that changed not just the culture of AFL but Australian society.

“I thought Australia grew up through the eyes of AFL football,” Sheedy said.

“We are a more mature country now. I think Michael Long and Nicky Winmar and a lot of the players in that era were fantastic to put it to everybody in the game, that we should take a look at ourselves.”

Flanagan believes the incident is among the greatest moments in Australian sporting history.

“Almost overnight the culture of the game flips 180 degrees and suddenly the AFL is the nation leader in race relations,” Flanagan said.

“Football is a great social leader, there is no question it impacted on Australian sport generally but because Australian sport is so central to Australian culture, there is no question that it impacted on the community as well.”

Celebrating the community will also be a strong focus of this year’s The Long Walk as it makes its return to Federation Square. Among the key attractions will be the wellbeing concert before the walk departs for the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match between the Essendon and Richmond Football Clubs.

 

It’s expected The Long Walk will also reach a major milestone with the event set to pass more than 100,000 participants since its inception in 2005.

The community event will see stallholders from community and government organisations, art & craft and circus workshops, children’s activities and food vendors come together in the heart of the city. 

The free wellbeing concert will feature big name music acts including Archie Roach, Johnny Lovett, Philly, Kinja, Illana Atkinson, Jayden Lillyst, Kilmore International School and Indigenous Hip Hop Project.

The Long Walk Chairperson Leanne Brooke said the annual event was playing a vital role in educating Australian society.

“Today The Long Walk holds a unique position in the reconciliation landscape and we are proud of its history,” Brooke said.

“Our programs build understanding and break down barriers, bringing Australia’s First Peoples out from the nation’s fringes and into the hearts of everyday Australians.”

The Long Walk will be holding events in Melbourne on 30 May and in Brisbane on 31 May.

 

Event:   The Long Walk Together 2015

 Saturday 30 May, 2015.

12 noon                Community event and free Wellbeing concert, Federation Square

6.00pm                 Join Michael Long on The Long Walk from Federation Square to Dreamtime

at the 'G

Website: www.thelongwalk.com.au

For more information about events and programs contact:

Debby Walker ph: 0410 458 611

Email: dwalker@essendonfc.com.au

For media enquiries contact:

Miranda Brown ph: 0411 568 781

Email: miranda@mbpublicity.com.au

 

  ...

New footy destination in India

0
0

Odisha became the latest state to embrace footy as they welcomed ARFAI officials to hold an introductory training session at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus in Bhubaneshwar.

The Australian High Commission in India deserve a special note of thanks for sanctioning the Direct Aid Program (DAP) grant for the joint venture between ARFAI and KISS. Under this project, ARFAI officials will train senior students at KISS to be footy coaches, who will in turn help in training at least 1500 children by the end of this calendar year.

The 3 day session comprised of indoor and outdoor sessions through which the KISS coaches were taught basic skills and rules of the game. The enthusiasm was there for all to see and they picked up on pointers given by the ARFAI officials very swiftly indeed.

The coaches were also acquainted with coaching methods which need to be employed while they conduct the trainings. When the ARFAI coaches reached the field in the final day, they were faced with an experience like no other. More than 700 children had taken to the field, brimming with energy and willing to experience the sport. With the help of the KISS coaches, the ARFAI officials taught the children basic Footy skills in a friendly, interactive session.

The highlight of the final day was a visit by the founder of KISS, Mr. Achutya Samanta himself. He was delighted to see the positive response and provided the coaches and children words of encouragement and a promise for further such opportunities in the future.

He seemed particularly pleased at the idea of forming the first Odisha state team comprising of KISS students who will participate in the ARFAI National Championship 2015 later this year.

The day culminated in a friendly match between the coaches. Although the match was conducted to bring them up to speed with the basic gameplay rules, they showed exceptional grasp of the basic skills even at such an early stage.

The ARFAI is grateful to KISS for providing them the perfect setting for venturing into a new state and are hopeful that this partnership will only grow stronger in the coming days. ...

USAFL Weekly Report: ANZAC Round recap

0
0

Alex Benjamin from USAFL Weekly Report wraps up the USAFL ANZAC Round matches from this past weekend.

Cincinatti Metro postponed

The Cincinnati Dockers, the Louisville Kings and the Indianapolis Giants were set for a Metro tripleheader last weekend but the tournament was postponed because of a major severe tornado threat and nearly 4 inches of rain had deluged Point Pleasant Park in Cincinnati. These games will be rescheduled at a later date.

Houston vs Baton Rouge Tigers ANZAC/Ruggles Cup
This game has become now an annual tradition for the USAFL following the passing of one of Houston’s favorite players. Baton Rouge headed down the I-10 to play against the Lonestars. This year, Baton Rouge brought nearly 20 players to face Houston. It was a tight battle for two quarters, but in the end the Lonestars won the game going away. Final score: Houston 18.15.123 Baton Rouge 7.5.47

Cleveland Cannons vs Columbus Jackaroos
Cleveland Cannons hosted their first game ever in the USAFL as they faced the powerhouse team down I-71, the Columbus Jackaroos. From the outset, the Jackaroos served notice to the other USAFL clubs, don’t discount them this season. Columbus wins the game in a rout. Final score: Columbus 12.12.84  to Cleveland 1.1.7


Standings

With those results, here are the new USAFLWR standings:

Men’s

USAFL Poll
USAFLWR Ranking
Team
W-L-T
PF
PA
Pct.
Points
20
1
Fort Lauderdale Fighting Squids
2-2-0
102
160
  63.75
8
9
2
Houston Lonestars
2-1-0
177
 72
 216.00
6
13
3
Nashville Kangaroos
2-1-0
143
 60
 238.33
5
8
4
Columbus Jackaroos
1-0-0
 84
 7
1200.00
4
3
5
Austin Crows
2-0-0
 96
 20
 480.00
4
6
6
Golden Gate Roos
1-0-0
 41
 15
 273.33
4
10
7
Dallas Magpies
1-0-0
109
 52
 209.62
4
1
8
New York Magpies
1-1-0
 86
 68
 126.47
4
24
9
Atlanta Kookaburras
1-1-0
 60
143
   41.96
1
 
10
Tulsa Buffaloes
0-1-0
 59
109
   47.71
0
 
11
North Carolina Tigers
0-1-0
 50
115
   43.48
0
 
12
Baton Rouge Tigers
0-1-0
 47
123
   38.21
0
 
13
Sacramento Suns
0-1-0
 15
 41
   36.58
0
 
14
Cleveland Cannons
0-1-0
 7
 84
     8.33
0

For those that don’t know how the points in the standings are calculated, please read up via the online blog: www.usaflweeklyreport.com and look at Edition 15-16 or the WFN article from last week.

Women’s

USAFLWR Ranking
Team
W-L-T
PF
PA
Pct.
Points
1
San Francisco Iron Maiden
1-0-0
22
16
137.50
4
2
Sacramento Lady Suns
0-1-0
16
22
 72.73
0


The Road To Austin

Follow the latest on my Road to Austin walk here.

This week's USAFL Weekly Report Show

We are back on our normal showtime this week @ 4 pm USA Central Time. Just a reminder, for everyone…those that like to send a question to us, do so via the blog, Facebook, Twitter and on World Footy News as well during the show via Chat. We will recap Week 5 of the AFL and do our picks for Week 6 and have our Q & A and our look ahead to the month ahead as well as the USAFL month ahead. Please note: We are now on YouTube and on UStream as well. On YouTube, look under USAFL Weekly Show and on UStream look under USAFL Weekly.
  ...

Internationals in Round 2 VFL action

0
0

 All eyes on Kiwi Kurt Heatherley on Sunday with Brian Lake going down in Hawthorn’s Saturday night loss to Pt Adelaide. He was named in the best players for Box Hill as they defeated Coburg by 20 points, and may have been in the Hawthorn selectors minds to be upgraded to the senior list for a chance to play against North Melbourne on Saturday. 

Heatherley started the year a long way from consideration with Hawthorn’s key defenders fit and ready to go along with new recruit James Frawley pushing him further down the list. 
 
Frawley and Lake both out of the Hawthorn backline definitely helps his chances. As it turns out Shoenmakers has come into the Hawthorn side, but his form is notoriously shaky at AFL level. For now Heatherley needs to continue to impress in the VFL as a key backman.
 
Irishman Conor McKenna looked dangerous up forward for Essendon’s VFL team but couldn’t kick a major as he registered four behinds in their 32 point win against Collingwood. Mason Cox played second fiddle to experienced ruckman Jarrod Witts but still chipped in with 9 hit outs and three tackles.
 
American Jason Holmes continued his good form in the ruck for Sandringham with 21 hit outs but Meese for Williamstown probably had the better of their contests. The Zebras going down to the Seagulls by 58 points. 
 
Fellow American Eric Wallace kicked the dew off the grass for Werribee in the Development league at Chirnside Park as his side copped an 83 point drubbing at the hands of Casey Scorpions. Also in the Development league Alex Aurrichio had stints on the ball for the Northern Blues and was also on the losing side as Port Melbourne ran out 51 point winners.

Shem Tatupu was named at full forward in Box Hill’s development team, he kicked one goal and was named in the best players in his team’s 101 point win over Coburg.
  ...

From the World Footy vault – April 2005.

0
0
One thing we always hoped that our site would be valued for in time, was as a documented history of modern International Footy.  The site started in 2004 and we have had thousands of stories since then.  So what was happening 10 years ago this week at World Footy News? 
 
Jake Anson told us the AFL Club Melbourne would be hosting NZ at IC05, and the IC05 venues were announced at Port Melbourne, Wangaratta, Optus Oval and the MCG.
 
PNG won the U16 Qld Country Championships and Malcolm Blight was reported to have put up is hand to coach PNG in the IC05 Grand Final should they make it (they did make it and lost to NZ, as far as I recall Blight was not coaching). 
 
Japan were headed to the Arafura games in their warmup for IC05 (they went on to finish 9th at IC05 under coach Troy Beard).
 
We looked at the Farum Cats growth and Peter Parry told us about International Rules football in Copenhagen.
 

US AFL Combine run and done

0
0

The 2015 AFL US Combine in Brandton, Florida has wrapped up after three days of testing the tallest crop of American athletes so far.  Well mostly American.  The tallest John Crnogorac is from Sydney.  He would not be an international rookie as such if listed by an AFL club but a Category B Rookie (and not the first basketballer to be speculatively listed as such by an AFL club).  Crnogorac also would come with some Aussie rules knowledge (even as an NRL fan) and without the need to adjust to life in Australia. He has been playing college basketball in the US.

Jalen Carethers would seem to be the obvious choice for the AFL clubs that attended the Combine to select to come to the Australian draft Combine in October, or even earlier ala Mason Cox in 2014.  If for no other reason than his surname Daquan Holiday could be another selected to make the trip.

 

 

 Picture from @BradAmes14 on Twitter

The complete list of athletes tested

Adekunle, Deji

Behrens, Christian

Carethers, Jalen

Crnogorac, John

Holiday, Daquan

Hornstein, Brian

Hunter, James

Johnson, James

Kangudi, Junior

Korcheck, Matt

Kurkowski, Kye

Reynolds, Zachary

Spencer, Reginald

Springs, Len

Wisniewski, Alan

 

AFL INTERNATIONAL COMBINE TOP RESULTS (from afl.com.au)

HEIGHT
John Crnogorac (Mississippi) – 212.2cm
Brian Hornstein (Dallas) – 211.3cm
Kye Kurkowski (Nebraska) – 208.9cm

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP
Reggie Spencer (Alabama) – 84cm
Jalen Carethers (Virginia) – 81cm
James Johnson (Canada) – 81cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP
Junior Fortunat (Canada) – 89cm
Jalen Carethers (Virginia) – 88cm
James Johnson (Canada) – 88cm

SPEED – 20 METRE SPRINT
Jalen Carethers (Virginia) – 2.79 seconds
Christian Behrens (Seattle) – 2.95 seconds
Len Springs (Los Angeles) – 2.99 seconds

AFL AGILTY RUN
Daquan Holiday (New Jersey) – 8.40 seconds
Jalen Carethers (Virginia) – 8.48 seconds
Reggie Spencer (Alabama) – 8.52 seconds

30 METRE REPEAT SPRINTS
Jalen Carethers (Virginia) – 25.16 seconds
Daquan Holiday (New Jersey) – 25.33 seconds
Christian Behrens (Seattle) – 25.42 seconds

ENDURANCE – 3KM TIME TRIAL
Len Springs (Los Angeles) – 11minutes 14 seconds
Kye Kurkowski (Nebraska) – 11minutes 56 seconds
Matt Korcheck (Arizona) – 12 minutes 8 seconds

For more see - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-30/basketballer-records-nearrecord-sprint-time-at-us-combine ...

We Want You! Odense Lions, Denmark

0
0


If Fancy yourself as a coach capable of changing the fortunes of a growing club in Europe - Denmark, to be exact - Then the Odense Lions are looking for you.

According to club president Morten Merhoj “the Odense Lions footy club from Denmark is looking for a new coach from Australia to come and help us improve our club. “

Certainly this presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a coaching background and a desire to travel. The Odense Lions have grown steadily since their introduction to the DAFL a couple of years ago. Danish footy holds a special place on the European stage, winning last year’s Euro Cup in London and being a regular powerhouse on the bigger stage. The opportunity to be part of a successful club in a successful league in a country that has embraced the game would be highly attractive to many.

For those who are becoming interested, Morten provided this overview of the club in 2015.

“It is the second year of Australian football in Odense since the start of the Lions. 2015 looked to be the best yet with Odense Lions and Lionesses finally getting their own jumpers with a new and unique design. We also got new goal posts and expanded our field to better host the bigger numbers at training and ordered 20 footballs to make sure our members as much time with the football in their hands.”

“The numbers have grown to more than 40 paying members and the season has just started. The Odense Lionesses played a big part in the creation of Women’s Nordic AFL who will have the first season in 2015. It will be the league where the three women’s teams in Scandinavia play against each other.”

“Also, Odense has started a local league where mixed teams with boys and girls play, this is a great chance for our many new members to get a game before trying a DAFL game and our girls can get some more games and experience.”

Odense also hosted the indoor tournament for the men in Odense during the winter and organized friendly games on artificial grass in the pre-season - a hard job in Denmark where the field needed to be cleared of snow before the game could start.”

“The rest of the DAFL has also spotted the many talented new players from Odense and six Lion players were asked to join the national team training weekend in April.”

“It is safe to say the future looks good for Odense Lions and Lionesses. The setup is great with clubrooms being made available at the school where our field is. A sports pub has agreed to show AFL on big screen at AFL events. The club has received an offer to work at the town’s local festival during summer to get the tickets free. Another fun footy trip is planned in July to Amsterdam”
.
The only problem with the club growing so much and players improving their skills so fast is that our club is in need of an experienced football player to help us improve our game even further. An experienced person with love and passion for the game could really improve our club even more.”

“Odense is the birth place of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen and Odense Lions is a fairy tale in the making with amazing progress in its only short history. It is one of the biggest clubs in Denmark, has the first women’s team in Denmark and is a pioneer in winter season football events and recruitment.”

If you are interested in this challenge, bringing the best out of the Odense Lions and Lionesses, contact their president, Morten Merhoj via email at mm@dafl.dk or by Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/morten.merhoj

...

World XVIII graduate is Round 5 Rising Star Nominee

0
0

Adam Saad from the Gold Coast Suns is the Round Five NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. Adam received votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal following the Suns’ 64-point win over the Brisbane Lions in Saturday night’s Q-Clash.

The running defender collected 26 possessions, took seven marks and had nine bounces in the Suns’ first win of the season. After being over looked in two NAB AFL Drafts, Adam, 20, was selection 25 in the 2015 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and was upgraded to the Suns’ senior list after impressing in all three NAB Challenge matches.

He made is AFL debut in Round One and has played all five games this year. Adam played junior football with the West Coburg Football Club and the Calder Cannons. He represented the World XVIIIat the 2011 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.

He progressed to the Coburg Tigers where he was joint winner of the 2014 club best and fairest and was named in the VFL Team of the Year. He also represented the VFL in an International Rules Challenge match against Ireland late last year.

Adam is one of three practising Muslim players in AFL (Richmond’s Bachar Houli and St Kilda’s Ahmed Saad – no relation).

Suns coach Rodney Eade said Adam has done everything possible to get his chance to play at the highest level.

“Adam is a great story of perseverance. Overlooked in two drafts, he continued to work on his game, and with the help of Peter German and the staff at the Coburg Tigers his hard work resulted in him gaining a rookie spot last year.

“Since arriving on the Gold Coast Adam hasn’t put a foot wrong, his attitude and willingness to learn saw him earn a rookie elevation and selection in our first five games of the season.

“Adam has had a great start to the season, he’s ability to take the game on and generate run for the team has been outstanding. With further development, education and hard work we believe Adam has a exciting career ahead of him,” Eade said.

Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2015 NAB AFL Rising Star.

The 2015 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.

NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $710,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.

The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.

NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:

· NAB AFL Rising Star
· NAB AFL Draft
· NAB AFL Draft Combine
· NAB AFL Trade Period
· NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
· NAB AFL Academy
 · NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
  ...

AFLCNE - Round Three Results

0
0


Round Three of the AFL Central and Northern England competition has been completed last weekend. The key stories to come from the round were Manchester Mozzies taking a stronger stranglehold on top spot with a comprehensive win against Tyne Tees Tigers and Sheffield Thunder moving into outright second after the Wolverhampton Wolverines were forced to forfeit.

In the other game, the Nottingham Scorpions defeated the Huddersfield Rams by 32 points to secure their grasp on third place. Final scores for the round were:

Tyne 22.23 (155) def. by Manc 7.11 (53)
Notts 14.13 (97) def Hudds 9.11 (65)
Sheff def. Wolves by default (Wolves unable to field a team)

The Birmingham Bears had the bye this round.






Manchester Mosqutoes 12
Sheffield Thunder 8
Nottingham Scorpions 4
Wolverhampton Wolverines 4
Huddersfield Rams 4
Birmingham Bears 4
Tyne Tees Tigers 0

Next Round:

Manchester Mosquitoes v Nottingham Scorpions (Manchester)
Huddersfield Rams v Sheffield Thunder (Huddersfield)
Wolverhampton Wolverines v Birmingham Bears (Wolverhampton)
Tyne Tees Tigers - BYE

The AFL London competition had the Bank Holiday bye last weekend. Matches resume in London this weekend with the Wandsworth Demons taking on the North London Lions, the Putney Magpies hosting the West London Wildcats and the Wimbledon Hawks at home to the London Swans in the Preemiership League. ...

Internationals in Round 3 VFL action

0
0

Irish IC14 representative Padraig Lucey scored a goal for Geelong in their narrow 8 point win over Richmond at Punt Road on Saturday. He also gave away four free kicks so there are definitely a few things for the big man to work on. He also managed 7 hit outs, 3 marks, 6 handballs and 2 tackles.

American Mason Cox went one better and notched two goals for Collingwood as he again played second fiddle to Witts in the ruck but still managed 14 hit outs as the Pies got the four points with a four point victory over Footscray.
Werribee had a two point win over Port Melbourne with Sudanese born Majak Daw kicking three for the Tigers, while Khan Haretuku (Sydney born to Kiwi parents) was named in the best for Port.
 
Casey Scorpions easily accounted for Essendon at Windy Hill with Irishman Conor McKenna having a quiet day for the Bombers kicking just one behind along with 3 kicks, 3 handballs, 4 marks and 2 tackles.
 
The Northern Blues had a one goal win over Sandringham. American Jason Holmes was one of Sandringham’s best players amassing 37 hit outs and kicking 1.1. Irish pair Ciaran Sheehan (groin) and Ciaran Byrne (hamstring) did not play with Carlton listing them as having 1-2 and 2 weeks respectively before they are back playing.
 
Development League
 
Eric Wallace kicked his first goal of the season for Werribee as they copped a 133 point hiding at the hands of Port Melbourne.
 
At Trevor Barker Oval it was a 9 point win to Sandringham with NZ International Scholarship player Joe Baker-Thomas running out for the Zebras. On the losing side American Alex Aurrichio made a significant step being name in the best players for the Northern Blues.
 
...
Viewing all 3240 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images