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National Press Club push on international vision

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AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan spoke for around 30 mins today at Australia's National Press Club in Canberra, the nation's capital.  His focus was on the AFL's signing of an historic $2.508 billion 6 year media rights deal, and the four key beneficiaries to be fans, grass roots community football in Australia, the AFL clubs and (perhaps not by chance) lastly the players - which is not to say they will be anything but richly rewarded, but the AFL knows the AFL Players Association will be coming at them hard over the next 12 months.

But at the conclusion of Gillon's speech a remarkable thing happened.  To be honest, as Chief Editor of worldfootynews.com and knowing how difficult it has been to obtain statements of vision for international football from the highest ranks of the AFL over the past decade, it was like we had plants in the audience - to my knowledge we did not!

Areas touched on included the International Cup and expansion into China, India and New Zealand.  In all, not much detail, but in some ways exciting signs of possible commitment at the highest levels.

The international related quotes are below but at time of writing, in Australia at least, the video of the full speech and questions can be viewed here on ABC iView.  In particular jump to 51:40 and watch right through to the final question.

Mischa Schubert (National Press Club), "You spoke a little about this being the Australian game but in a globalised world in which lot's of other sports are also competing for people's attention, I'm just wondering if you can outline your vision for what kind of global ambitions you might have to expand the game into international markets and whether that's sort of thinking around major drawcard marquee games in key iconic stadiums around the world and showcasing some of our game as Australians to the world or whether also there's any realistic thinking being done around global expansion in a competition sense as well?"


Gillon McLachlan, "Our international strategy has... I think been confused and we haven't been able to land as clearly on that as we'd like.  We have investment internationally for various reasons.  For talent reasons, for expatriate reasons, for commercial reasons, so there's different reasons we have an international presence and invest internationally.  I think they've confused the conversation... we need to keep investing across all those different areas but the specific point about... ok... what international market is the market for us if we are going to expand internationally?  Our view now clearly is that's New Zealand.  It's obvious geographic and timezone proximity, the fact that they have ovals, the fact that they have a sporting minded culture, the fact that they have one dominant code in Rugby Union but an opportunity... there's no clear second spot... and so we think there's a huge opporunity there.  The challenge for us right now, and St Kilda are making big in roads there, that there isn't an oval that we can get our hands on that is suitable in Auckland.  Auckland's where we think we need to be, we've been playing out of Wellington.  There will be we think in 2018 an oval coming online.  It might surprise you, there are 30,000 people playing Australian Rules football in and around Auckland, which I mean I think that's a stat that people will be surprised at but we're making small inroads, there's a president of AFL New Zealand, we have I think two people working full time over there and our view is if you were to prioritise a market, if you were to have a 15-20... a generational view it's New Zealand".

Steve Lewis (Director, National Press Club), "Is there, and looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup, would you see something down the track, maybe in a decade, a decade and a half, where there was something that resembled some sort of international competition involving Australia, New Zealand, PNG and perhaps other countries, I mean is there scope for instance to expand into places like America and Asia?".

Gillon McLachlan, ""It's a great question, we actually do have now an International Cup, it's played every 3 years.  It was last played last year, so we had teams from Canada, Ireland, Japan, from all over the globe, Australian Rules is being played everywhere.  And they were all locals, they weren't expatriate Australians playing in those teams.  The standard in the final which was between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand (editor: actually it was Ireland, ironically Gillon was actually there and presented the trophy) was extraordinary and I'm not quite sure how some of those Papua New Guinea guys haven't appeared on AFL lists, because it's incredible the speed and athleticism. 

"So there is communities out there that are playing, we have a World Cup (sic), the energy and the vibe around that few weeks was unbelievable and brutal, there was about 3 ACL injuries and 5 broken legs.  So part of our international strategy is to make sure we keep pouring the fuel on and nuturing that and getting the organic growth that's happening in all of those markets and make sure we get faster growth".

Peter Philips (Director, National Press Club), "On the question of international expansion by AFL, you'll recall that in 2010 as part of the World Expo celebrations in Shanghai in China that Melbourne Demons, Brisbane Lions played an exhibition game of AFL there, at the time there was enormous momentum established for the projection of AFL into China.  Has that just stopped, is it off the list entirely or is there in the planning in the thinking of the AFL still a possible move into a possibly closer engagement with China in relation to AFL.

Gillon McLachlan, "Yeah it's a good question.  Two things I'd say to that. The first one is as I said to Mischa, I think our international strategy has been disjointed and I don't think we've had a clear... there's been piecemeal approach to different markets, so I think it's been disjointed at the AFL and we haven't been coordinated like we need to be with the clubs.  The second part I think talks to China specifically.  Now I've talked today about where our future is, with essentialy the new Australia.  The challenge is that migration is so diverse, and there's lots of slivers from lots of different communities and countries.  But there's two clear outliers to that.  There's India and there's China.  So in all of that story we need to prioritise India and we need to prioritise China as the keys to our future and that means we have to have obviously a discussion with the Chinese migrants but also look back up into China and also with India".

  ...


Holmes to make historic AFL debut

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Jason Holmes is set to become the first US citizen* recruited from the US to play in the AFL on Saturday after being selected by St Kilda to take on Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
 
Holmes has spent two seasons at St Kilda learning the game in the VFL with Sandringham. Holmes is a competent ruckman at VFL level and is good for the occasional goal up forward too. He played with the St Kilda team in the NAB Cup preseason competition which should help to ease his nerves a little going into this match on Saturday.

 

Holmes has played 17 matches with Sandringham this year kicking five goals and averages 29 hit-outs per match including a high of 60 against Port Melbourne in Round 9.
 
With Jack Billings being placed on the long-term injury list after scans showed a hot spot in his shin had developed into a stress fracture, there was a place available to elevate Holmes to the senior list. Today the Saints elevated Holmes to that spot and have named him in the ruck.  In all likelihood he may start the game in the subs vest.
 
Coach Alan Richardson hinted at Holmes debut ealier this week saying he was "right in the mix" to play Saturday night.
 
Holmes came to footy after his basketball career at Moorehead State in Kentucky (the Ohio Valley Conference of the NCAA Division I-AA) came to an end. He had a multiple sports background in basketball, soccer, NFL, baseball and golf.   He was introduced to Aussie rules football at the USA Combine in April 2013 in Los Angeles. 
 
Holmes got a small taste of the Australian game playing in the Chicago Swans Football Club’s Metro League. In the USAFL many of the clubs are geographically isolated and for regular matches they play ‘Metro’ matches with less players than the usual 18 and on smaller fields. Holmes had runs with the Lincoln Square Tigers, the Lincoln Park Piranhas and the Wrigleyville Rhinos in May and June of 2013.
Following this he came to Australia for some time with Paul Roos to prepare for the National Draft Combine held in Melbourne late in 2013 and was signed up by the Saints before the Combine was completed.
 
Last week Holmes was signed to a contract extension to the end of the 2016 season and following his debut this weekend will be hoping to be a regular part of the St Kilda team as they look to climb back up the ladder next year after a poor 2015 season.
 
His debut comes as a massive vindication of AFL efforts to find US talent via Combines held over the last few years in Los Angeles and Florida.  The work of those such as Paul Roos, Kevin Sheehan, Mick Ablett, Tadhg Kennelly and Tony Woods along with key members of the USAFL in getting Holmes and other US athletes to AFL clubs will have it's first big pay-off on Saturday night. 
 
The American's debut will be noted by players of the game all around the world (and those that wonder if they could) that the journey can be made from a non footy background if you are willing to put in the work, just as Holmes has clearly done.
 
2015 VFL Stats for Jason Holmes at Sandringham vs all teams 
DateOppositionBSTGBHDKEKIEHEHIEHRCMUMMKSTKSFFFAHO
Sun 19/AprEssendon0000130000010215
Sun 26/AprWilliamstown0001221100023021
Sun 3/MayNorthern Blues5113320220251237
Sat 9/MayCasey Scorpions0001060100021020
Sun 17/MayFrankston2113182402240139
Sun 24/MayBox Hill Hawks0010522200053035
Sat 30/MayWerribee Tigers0001410122430226
Sat 6/JunNorth Ballarat0000032101110130
Sat 13/JunPort Melbourne6002480212341060
Sun 28/JunFootscray Bulldogs0004300103342226
Sat 4/JulCollingwood0111232102222530
Sun 12/JulCoburg0103200100031028
Sat 18/JulWerribee Tigers0002440121351023
Sat 25/JulRichmond Tigers0003111302210116
Sun 9/AugPort Melbourne0002020001150132
Sun 16/AugNorthern Blues0122230211201133

*Don Pyke (WCE) and Sanford Wheeler (Syd) were both born in the USA but moved to live permanently in Australia from early childhood. ...

2015 AFL Round 21 - International broadcast schedules

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Friday night footy at the MCG kicks off Round 21 with Hawthorn hosting Port Adelaide. 

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 debut of Jason Holmes will not be shown on television anywhere outside Australia other than the Middle East on TV.  So to catch that action viewers in the US and elsewhere will need to stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

NetworkRegionHaw v PortColl v RichGWS v SydGCS v EssSt K v GeelAdel v BrisNM v FreoCarl v MelbWCE v WBHighlights
Australia PlusAsia21/8 @ 17:30 HK (Live)22/8 @ 11:30 HK (Live)-22/8 @ 14:30 HK (Live)-22/8 @ 17:30 HK (Live)23/8 @ 11:00 HK (Live)-23/8 @ 14:30 HK (Live)26/8 @ 02:00 HK
Australia PlusPacific21/8 @ 21:30 Fiji (Live)22/8 @ 15:30 Fiji (Live)-22/8 @ 18:30 Fiji (Live)-22/8 @ 21:30 Fiji (Live)23/8 @ 15:00 Fiji (Live)-23/8 @ 18:30 Fiji (Live)26/8 @ 06:00 Fiji
Australia PlusIndia21/8 @ 15:00 IND (Live)22/8 @ 09:00 IND (Live)-22/8 @ 12:00 IND (Live)-22/8 @ 15:00 IND (Live)23/8 @ 08:30 IND (Live)-23/8 @ 12:00 IND (Live)25/8 @ 23:30 IND
ESPN BT SportUK & Ireland21/8 @ 10:30 BST (Live)22/8 @ 04:30 BST (Live)---22/8 @ 10:30 BST (Live)23/8 @ 04:00 BST (Live)-23/8 @ 07:30 BST (Live)25/8 @ 20:00 BST
ESPNCaribbean-----22/8 @ 05:30 EST (Live)---26/8 @ 13:00 EST
EUROSPORT2Europe---22/8 @ 08:30 CET (Live) ---------
EUROSPORT2UK & Ireland---24/8 @ 22:00 BST (Delay)-----26/8 @ 00:30 BST
EUROSPORT2Asia---22/8 @ 14:30 HKT (Live)------
FOX SPORTSUSA-21/8 @ 23:30 ET (Live)------23/8 @ 02:30 ET (Live)-
FOX SOCCER PLUSUSA---21/8 @ 24:00 ET (Live)--22/8 @ 23:00 ET (Live)--24/8 @ 17:00 ET
ORBIT SHOWTIMEMiddle East21/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 03:45 GMT (Live)--22/8 @ 09:20 GMT (Live)-23/8 @ 03:10 GMT (Live)---
OTLSMWorldwide (Boats & Cruises)21/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)---------
RDSQuebec----------
RDS2Quebec-24/8 @ 20:30 EST (Delay)--------
SKY SPORTSNew Zealand--------24/8 @ 24:00 (Delay)-
SUPER SPORTAfrica----------
TSN2Canada-22/8 @ 23:00 ET (Delay)------23/8 @ 02:30 ET (Live)-
CLARO SPORTSLatin America22/8 @ 08:30 CTU (Delay)---------
WATCHAFL.COM.AUWorldwide (excl. Australia)21/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 03:45 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 04:10 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 06:35 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 09:20 GMT (Live)22/8 @ 09:40 GMT (Live)23/8 @ 03:10 GMT (Live)23/8 @ 05:20 GMT (Live)23/8 @ 06:40 GMT (Live) 

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

AFL Fiji inaugural Womens season Grand Final countdown

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Women’s footy is probably the fastest growing segment of our great game – and perhaps not just in Australia. The last two AFL International Cup tournaments have included a Women’s division and last year included debutant sides Fiji and Tonga. With momentum growing towards a hoped for 2017 debut Women’s AFL league, the timing couldn’t be much better for the finale of the inaugural AFL Fiji Women’s competition that tomorrow sees the Royal Eagles line up against Qio Vula. It is also the Men’s preliminary final day.

The Fiji media has been providing encouraging coverage as well – including the Fiji Sun online AFL Women Gear Up for Final. AFL Fiji coach Ted Leahy has is quoted :”This is our first official season final for the women, this year we had our first senior women’s competition.” “The final between Royal Eagle women’s team and Qiovula will be very entertaining and skillful.”

The Fiji Times also have promoted the match Women ready for AFL final" and again Mike Leahy is quoted :"The ladies are more committed towards the game. They tend to spend more time training and are more actively involved so the final itself will be a very good game,""The skill level of the players has increased and people can come and witness the local girls play footy this Saturday."

The Royal Eagles are lead by Matelita Tuilevuka and Qio Vula by Siteri Tadrau. The match is scheduled for this Saturday AUGUST 229.00am - Bulakick for kids aged 4-11yo10.00am - AFL Fiji Men's Preliminary Final: Lion Killa vs Cats Kaukauwa11.00am - AFL Fiji Women's Grand Final: Royal Eagles vs Qio Vula All matches are on Ground 3 of the Maile Park playing fields at the University of the South Pacific (USP) - Laucala Bay Road, Suva. In the mens, last week the Swans Rerevaki (17.12.114) defeated Lion Killa (13.12.90) in the 2nd Semi to book passage through to the Grand Final on August 29. The Lion Killa side line up in this week’s preliminary final against the Cats Kaukauwa after the Cats got past Giant Gata in the First semi Final (12.16.88 to 3.4.22). ...

Young German kicking goals with Mill Park

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15-year old German exchange student Tomas von Rudno Restrero made local footy headlines in Melbourne's northern suburbs recently, being profiled on the website of the Northern Football League after completing a season with the Mill Park Stallions under 16s side.

Tomas had never seen Australian rules football before arriving in Melbourne earlier this year, but jumped onboard with Mill Park to give the sport a go and ended up playing the full season.

WFN hopes that his enthusiasm can connect to a local club back in Germany when he returns home - from the interview it seems he doesn't yet know of the existence of the Hamburg Dockers, located close by his home town of Stade (but maybe we can fill him in).

The full interview is available on the NFL website ...

Wet weather upsets AFL Fiji finals

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Saturday was supposed to see the AFL Fiji inaugural Women's grand final as well as the Men's preliminary final contested; Unfortunately heavy rain across the weekend has seen the AFL Fiji finals schedule disrupted due to the closure of the grounds at USP (University of South Pacific) in Suva. Fiji Times reports that the matches scheduled will be played at some point in the future - with confirmation required of time and venue. The latest information from AFL Fiji is that both mens and womens grand finals will be held this week - Saturday August 29th - which presumably will see the mens preliminary final held in the morning and the grand final that afternoon. A tough ask no doubt and certainly will reinforce the benefit of the team winning through from the semis. ...

Holmes AFL debut match report

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Jason Holmes made his transition from US college basketballer to AFL footballer on Saturday night official. In a match that ended in a draw against Geelong, St Kilda’s newest player not only looked at home in the ruck but looked something special.
 
Make no mistake holding down a position in the VFL as a ruckman is no easy task for those that have grown up with the game, let alone one starting out in a new foreign sport in a foreign land. If he never made it to play a match in the AFL it would still be a remarkable effort. 
 
But through a combination of his natural physical attributes, his athletic ability and his mental capacity to make it happen, Holmes has earned his promotion to the St Kilda team and to become the first born and raised American, the first code crossing American, the first player in the world to first play Aussie rules outside Australia and then make it to the AFL.
 
His arrival on the scene was well covered in all the Melbourne TV, radio and print media in the build up to Saturday night.  Footy shows on Thursday night  were all giving his debut special mention, radio stations interviewing his parents and social media heralding his arrival. 
 
Prior to the team running out Twitter showed Holmes being hugged by St Kilda captain Nick Reiwoldt and well wishes from the US Consulate in Melbourne and US Embassy in Canberra. As the team ran through the banner he was just one of the team. After a quick warmup and while the captain went over for the coin toss his team mates gathered around Holmes with last minute words of encouragement, pats on the back and on the head.
 
The siren sounded and it was on, inside the centre circle he went up and lost the first contest, or at least didn’t win it. As both teams scrambled for the loose ball Holmes managed a scrubbed handball out of the pack which had formed almost at half back registering the first possession of the match. The Saints kick the first goal.
 
Holmes’ second crack at the centre bounce is much more convincing, leaping high and drawing cheers from the crowd (possibly some bipartisan support) as he wins the tap. The crowd around me all seem to know of “Holmesy” regardless of the team they follow. Michington kicks a second for the Saints.
 
Third time and Holmes again leaps high to win the tap and the crowd is buzzing at his impressive leap. The Saints kick a third and again Holmes win the tap. This must seem easy with his team winning and rucking well. He has been pushing hard back in defence and then following the ball forward. Seven and a half minutes into the quarter he comes to the bench for a well earned breather.
 
After 5 minutes on the bench he comes back on and back into the ruck. Geelong have fought back kicking a couple. Holmes picks up another stat, this time after losing the centre square ruck contest he scrambles on the ground and gets a clear handball out. 
 
Later in the quarter he has a stint up forward. Twice St Kilda bring the ball to the wing in a few minutes and look up for an option, Holmes is there but probably outnumbered so they go laterally and turn the ball over. Would have been nice to back him in a try to hit him with a long ball. When they do work it forward he has a chance to mark on the line but the ball is spoiled by the Cats over the line. 
 
Late in the quarter he goes back in the ruck and when the siren sounds for quarter time the Saints are up by 3 points and he has played all but 5 minutes of the 32 minutes in that first stanza. He would be relieved that first quarter is out of the way but with little time to reflect as he is to start in the ruck again for the second quarter.
 
His ruck opponents in Blicavs and Vardy are no mugs by the way. Blicavs having a great season for the Cats and Vardy highly capable is just returning from a long term injury but looks to have returned in great shape. Following the play up and down the ground he is running plenty of K’s or should that be miles. As in the first quarter he gets a rest after 7 minutes and is back on after another 4 minutes. The rest of the game he will either be in the ruck or on the bench.
 
He is winning his share of boundary throw ins as well. But he is not really getting into general play, more hanging on the peripherary, mostly on the defensive side of packs. One high bouncing ball on the wing sees him attack and jump taking the ball but is tackled before he can land, he manages to dish off a handball though. 
 
The Saints have stretched the lead to 11 points at the 27 minute mark when Holme’s comes to the bench again where he remains until half time. Geelong are up by 1 point at Half time. Holmes has had 2 handballs and 21 hitouts.
 
Holmes starts the third term in the ruck again. He gets a huge cheer when awarded a free kick or a run down tackle and dishes off a handball. This time he runs in the ruck for the first 11 minutes and rests on the bench for 5 minutes. The Saints are now trailing by 13 points.
 
Brodie Murdoch is substituted for Josh Saunders for the Saints, this means Holmes will be running out the full match.
 
Back in the ruck he is still jumping high, battling at the boundary throw in he roves his own contest and gets a quick kick from the wing down the line but the ball comes off a defenders hand and deflects toward the boundary.   Shortly afterward another huge cheer for Holmes who marks the ball on the opposite wing. With no good handball option he sends a long to half forward.  
 
At three quarter time the Cats lead by just 7 points. Holmes was looking tired late in that third quarter as he has carried most of the ruck load and been working hard up and down the ground all night. His stats at ¾ time are 28 hitouts, 4 handballs, 2 kicks, 1 mark and 2 tackles.
 
In the final quarter Holmes’ continues in the ruck he gets a rest 6 minutes in this time as the Saints claw their way back into the match. In some ruck contests he now is rucking against both Vardy and Blicavs at the same time. He manages to lay a good tackle as the game tightens up with results in a ball up. 
 
With 29 minutes gone the Saints trail by a point. NZ born Shane Savage gathers the ball for the Saints in the forward pocket and snaps a behind to level the scores. With just 14 seconds on the clock there is no time for further scores and the game ends in a draw.
 
You would have to say a great debut from Holmes. Given a heavy ruckwork schooling in two seasons in the VFL it should really be no surprise he came ready for this and his leap impressed the crowd and his tap work was also solid, he finished with 34 hit-outs as well as seven disposals. 
 
On that performance you would expect him to get a game again next week, this time with his parents at the game (they couldn’t arrange to be here in time for this game) and going up against Canadian ruckman for Sydney Mike Pyke.

ST KILDA   5.4   8.7   11.9   14.13 (97)
GEELONG   5.1   9.2   13.4    15.7 (97) 

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Minchington 3, Hickey 2, Gilbert 2, Membrey, Savage, Riewoldt, Newnes
Geelong: Johnson 4, Hawkins 3, Vardy 2, Mackie, Taylor, Gregson, Guthrie, Motlop

BEST 
St Kilda: Steven, Riewoldt, Gilbert, Newnes, Ross, Bruce, Minchington, Fisher
Geelong: Motlop, Johnson, Guthrie, Hawkins, Enright, Taylor 

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Nil
Geelong: Josh Caddy (knee) 

SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Josh Saunders replaced by Brodie Murdoch in the third quarter
Geelong: Josh Caddy (knee) replaced by Nakia Cockatoo at half-time 

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Farmer, Mollison, Wallace 

Official crowd: 25,245 at Etihad Stadium ...

Dust To Dust – Kenya v Tanzania

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The following story  from the AFL website by Conor Walsh looks at the recent match played in Tanzania for the first time against a team from Kenya.

 

PLUMES of dust, jagged volcanic rocks, cows and low-flying planes set the scene for one of the most unlikely of Australian football games, played out on a rough African field.

 

But add a tight tussle and a last-gasp hero, and you have all the elements for a classic.

 

The match, held on a sometimes wet and always wild day in June in Arusha, Tanzania, was tightly contested by Tanzanian and Kenyan schoolboys on a field at the foot of imposing Mt Meru.

 

It was the first international Australian football match in the country and the second annual match of the Zimele Sporting Exchange, established by Australian educator Tom Purcell.

 

Horizontal rain during a goalless first-half couldn't dampen the spirits of the players, and two third-quarter goals for the Kenya Buffaloes set up a strong second-half performance that allowed them to pinch a late goal and seal a four-point win.

 

The Buffaloes, made up of underprivileged boys from Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre, Embulbul, extended their unbeaten run on the international stage, having won the first exchange match last year on their home turf.

 

Emmanuel Mutisya was the hero for the second year in a row when he slotted the match-winner with a cool set shot. He kicked the winning goal in the dying seconds of last year's match and is fast becoming a team favourite.

 

The hosts, the Tanzania Simbas from Edmund Rice Sinon College, Arusha, were brave in defeat. Their ferocious tackling and long kicking was particularly impressive, but they couldn't hang on to their slender lead in the end.

 

On a ground next to Arusha airport, its surface covered in rocks, pitted with divots and patrolled by the occasional wandering cow, the players battled fiercely in front of a rowdy crowd of school kids, locals and a few travelling Australians. One fan, from Adelaide, had tracked down the game after reading a previous article on AFL.com.au.

 

Everyone is aware of the outstanding athletic talents of the east Africans, but their ability to learn and master the unusual skills of our game is just as impressive. The strength, endurance, speed and hardness of the players was a sight to be seen.

 

Buffalo Samuel Mutinda was dominant in the midfield, gathering numerous clearances in a best-on-ground performance. Tanzanian identical twins Habibu and Hatibu Hassan Athman were strong, bookending the Lions forward and back, while Kenyan skipper James Gacheru was typically brilliant in the ruck in his second exchange match.

 

For their efforts as the best players for their teams, Mutinda and Habibu Hassan Athman were presented with the two game balls, donated by Ian Weeding from AFL Media. Both were official game-day Sherrins, with Mutinda receiving a special-edition Grand Final ball from last year's final between Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.

 

The exchange program is the brainchild of Purcell, who founded Zimele in partnership with the Edmund Rice Foundation to support the marginalised people of Africa.

 

Zimele runs programs throughout the continent and provides assistance for some of the most underprivileged people in society through school sponsorship, micro-finance projects and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses.

 

The sporting program, first undertaken in Kenya last year, also consists of competitions between the two schools in netball, volleyball, basketball and debating.

 

The exchange provides the talented kids with an opportunity to experience other cultures, travel outside of their townships and develop new relationships.

 

Throughout the exchange the schools competed hard, with the football match a climax to the three-day program.

 

Next year the exchange will return to Kenya, where the Buffaloes will be aiming for a hat-trick of win. It won't be easy, however, as the Simbas will be on their tails once more, ready to pounce.

 

TANZANIA   2.6 (18)

KENYA   3.4 (22)

 

GOALS

Tanzania: Jabir Kimaro, Isaac Silvester

Kenya: Dennis Wanderi, James Gacheru, Emmanuel Mutisya

 

BEST

Tanzania: Habibu Hassan Athman, Sadikiel Leonard Malley, Hatibu Hassan Athman

 

Kenya: Samuel Mutinda, James Gacheru, Dennis Ouma, Moses Musyoka

...


Edinburgh Bloods Winners Of The SARFL Grand Final

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In the tenth anniversary year of the Scottish Australian Rules Football League (SARFL) the Grand Final saw reigning champions Edinburgh Bloods take on minor premiers Glasgow Sharks on the afternoon of 31st August. Each side had won on the other’s home ground during the regular season so this game at Linlithgow Rugby Club promised to provide a fitting climax.

Edinburgh began the game in impressive style, their experienced midfield dominating the first quarter as they quickly moved into a strong lead, kicking eight goals to lead 53-1 at the opening break. Glasgow came out much more strongly after the break, tightening up in the back line and midfield to take the second quarter by four goals to three and promise that a comeback could be on its way. Half time score: Edinburgh 11.7.73 Glasgow 4.3.27.


Glasgow’s momentum continued with two further goals in the third quarter but Edinburgh continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in what had become an absorbing contest for the vocal crowd – hundreds enjoying the unusual Scottish summer sunshine. Edinburgh maintained their leading margin as both teams continued to play quality football into the final quarter, kicking five goals to three in that term to secure the match.

Final score: Edinburgh 17.19.123 Glasgow 9.6.60

Goals:

Edinburgh: Thomas (3), Beaton (2), Coller (2), Hildebrandt (2), Goodall, McGarry, McGookin, McNicholas, McSparron, Stevens, Townsend, Vahey.

Glasgow: Jack (3), Thompson (3), Douglas (2), Ross Thomson.

This highly entertaining encounter delivered a fitting end to the SARFL season. Scottish footy is by no means over for the year though. The Clansmen host England and Wales in the Tri Nations on the 7th September and the Caledonian Australian Football League (CAFL) finals take place next month, with the Grand Final in Glasgow on 19th October.

Pictures of the game available at http://duncolm.smugmug.com/Australian...SARFL-2013

Story courtesy of AFL Europe: http://www.afleurope.org/

...

South Dublin Swans Rattle Redback’s Cage

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Just when everything in the ARFLI competition was going to script – all teams try hard but the undefeated Belfast Redbacks would cruise to premiership glory – the South Dublin Swans have come along and changed the landscape in two afternoons.

Not having bothered to read the script, the Swans got out to an early advantage against the Redbacks and held their nerve to pull away and set up a home final and a legitimate share of premiership favouritism. They followed this with a comprehensive semi-final win against the Galway Magpies

According to the ARFLI website, “Saturday last saw the Belfast Redbacks host the South Dublin Swans at the Cherryvale Sports Grounds adjacent to the Ulster rugby venue Ravenhill. The Redbacks have led the league all season and went into the final home and away game undefeated. In contrast the Swans have dropped points including losing at home to the Redbacks.”

“However their recent form has been strong including thumping the Leeside Lions in Emly Co Tipperary in their most recent competitive game. The previous week the Redbacks showed their strength defeating the Galway Magpies in Galway.”

“This promised to be a close tussle as both teams wanted to retain their momentum heading into finals. A win for the Swans would guarantee second spot on the ladder and a home semi-final, something the Redbacks already had in the bag as their top spot was confirmed before this game.”

“It proved to be a very close encounter with the teams neck and neck for the first three quarters on a sunny Belfast summer’s day. At three quarters time the Swans had a narrow five point lead. However in the final quarter the Swans pulled away to win 9.10 64 to 6.3 39.”

Fast forward to the semi-finals and the Swans have continued to enhance their own premiership credentials and at the same time give the Belfast Redbacks just a small quiver of doubt.

The Belfast Redbacks 11.13 (79) defeated the Leeside Lions 6.4 (40) in a comfortable win and a useful tune up for the grand final next weekend. But at the same time, the South Dublin Swans 15.13 (103) ended the season for the Galway Magpies 9.10 (64). Both results were by 39 points, which is an intriguing coincidence which suggests that there is now a more even form line between the two teams that makes it a touch harder to predict.

Whilst the Belfast Redbacks still deserve favouritism based on their excellent season and first up finals win, the Swans appear to have closed the gap in recent weeks. They have certainly rattled the Redbacks’ cage.

The Grand Final will be played at the Cherryvale Playing Fields, Ravenhill Road, Belfast next Saturday 29th August with the ball up at 3pm.

...

The AFL on international footy 2015 - an in-depth interview

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Australian football has undergone steady and at times impressive growth around the world over the last decade or so. This is mostly but not entirely started by expatriate Australians who sow some seeds and then either tend to them or have enthusiastic locals continue the experiment.

But another important player in this is the Australian Football League. For some countries their contact has been negligible, but for most it has been useful and at times a strong source of encouragement, funds or other support. And every three years the AFL’s contribution is at its most visible in the form of the International Cup. Given their importance as the catalyst with most potential to drive rapid growth it’s always good to try to understand the role the AFL sees for itself, who the main people are and how they fit into the larger AFL administrative body itself. This is our first update on that front for several years.

Grant Williams and the AFL international structure

With many changes in recent years worldfootynews.com thought it timely to catch up with a key figure in Grant Williams, AFL General Manager Community Football Operations. Grant is pictured far left with AFL colleague Pete Romaniw (right) and former AFL Asia interim President Grant Keys (centre). We started by asking him where he fits into the international scene and where he’d like to see it go.

Grant Williams, “My role involves supporting our state bodies and international affiliates in their efforts to develop, manage and grow the game of Australian football which includes providing access to resources and expertise within AFL House to form stronger links”.

“(I have) Experienced the last 3 International Cups, have seen the World Team and South Pacific Team play in U16 National Champs and also visited South Africa where I was lucky enough to experience the Footy Wild program in action. Generally, like to see the game grow and spread around the globe but also see existing competitions and programs in countries like New Zealand, the USA, South Africa, PNG and Europe consolidate in the interests of broader local acceptance of the game including the International Combines (to test talent athletes) now run in Ireland, New Zealand and the USA”.

The AFL’s position on international football was probably at best unclear to most in the international community prior to the stewardship of David Matthews as AFL General Manager of Game Development through roughly the first decade of this century. Under Matthews there were several restructures, significant steps forward and a much more bullish public presence – a sense of trying to show vision in bringing the Australian football public on the international growth journey. Even his title changed to reflect this commitment, as the AFL’s National and International Development Manager. Concern over Matthews’ departure to become CEO of GWS Giants in 2011 was alleviated by the 2010 appointment of former AFL player Tony Woods to the full time role of AFL International Development Manager. Woods brought the highest profile yet to the role, but somewhat obscured in the excitement leading in to the 2014 International Cup was Woods’ resignation and the abolition of his position. Grant Williams assures us this was not a backward step.

Grant Williams, “Following Tony’s departure we took the opportunity to modify the way responsibilities for the AFL’s International activities were split across the business. Aspects of the International portfolio have been spread over different departments within the business including commercial operations, marketing, football operations and AFL Media. In terms of participation, Pete Romaniw provides day to day operational support to our International affiliates and oversees the work of Ben Drew (AFL Development Officer – Pacific) in the Pacific region. I play a coordination role within the AFL to bring the efforts from within various departments together including directly overseeing Pete and his work with the affiliates on participation”.

”Pete is now full time focused on our International affiliates. The responsibility includes managing our annual Grants program and he works particularly closely with many regions including but not limited to AFLNZ, AFLSA, USAFL and AFL Europe. Ben Drew who oversees activities in PNG and the South Pacific also reports into Pete. We have also focused on developing stronger ties with Canada, China, India and Asia more broadly. Pete works closely with the key representatives from the various countries to support their efforts to grow, coordinate and promote the game internationally”.

“Pete also works with other internal AFL departments to facilitate access to different expertise within the building for international affiliates. This is done in a variety of ways including the Watch AFL program whereby affiliates can raise revenue through sales, AFL Queensland and the AFL in the South Pacific becoming more aligned to improve the talent pathway opportunity. The U16 South Pacific team competed in the AFL Qld U16 championships with players eligible to be selected for Qld U16 state team which competes in the NAB AFL U16 Championships. We also work closely with our government relations and talent teams”.

“He also liaises with Australian Government departments and representatives to assist in supporting our international programs. We also provide significant in-kind support (equipment, apparel, etc.) for many projects being run by community organisations, schools, etc”.

“There are numerous people within the AFL that from time to time support Pete and I across the international portfolio these include Kevin Sheahan and Mick Ablett in Talent. We have internal work groups in many other areas that cover some of our international projects including St Kilda’s NZ games”.

South Pacific arrangements

On the topic of the Pacific region we’d heard disquiet that programs may be wound back following the departure of Andrew Cadzow, a long serving asset to the game most recently running AFL Asia Pacific.

Grant Williams, “We still provide very similar levels of support to the region, with Ben Drew overseeing the programs with guidance and support from Pete and I at AFL House. Ben manages our South Pacific development activities with the various local groups/operators like AFL PNG, AFL Fiji, etc. He manages activities in PNG where we provide the majority of the funding, along with activities in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Nauru, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands who all have varying levels of football participation. The South Pacific team competing in the AFL Qld U16 State Championships is just one example of the AFL’s support of football in this region”.

New Zealand a focus?

Noting this interview was conducted shortly before AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan’s encouraging comments about New Zealand, we asked several questions about St Kilda and the AFL’s intentions there, starting with trying to find out whether St Kilda followed through on their commitment to place two full time development officers in Wellington to grow the game around their annual match.

Grant Williams, “St Kilda FC have a project manager who manages their NZ partnership/relationship with the stakeholders involved including the AFL, AFLNZ, the Wellington City Council, NZ Government agencies, etc.”

The Saints aren’t the only club with a toe in Kiwi waters, with the Hawks Cup played across high schools supported by Hawthorn. With New Zealand’s proximity, access to ovals and cultural similarities to Australia, this author has long hoped the AFL might look to accelerate development with a view to one day fielding an NZ AFL club one day. Alas, a straight bat there.

Grant Williams, “At the moment, operationally we are focused on supporting a game played for points in NZ in the foreseeable future”.

Given our understanding that the support of AFL New Zealand (in a previous form) and key supporters and the AFL were important factors that saw the Westpac Stadium in Wellington constructed as suitable for Australian football, and Auckland being the major population centre, we asked whether the AFL was keeping eye on any such opportunities in Auckland.

Grant Williams, “There is talk of a stadium being developed/built in Auckland which will potentially have the capability to host AFL matches, only early days on this possibility though”.

AFL club football department spending and any key AFL targets?

AFL support for international development can come from both the AFL itself or from its clubs. This author personally thinks the recent cap on football department spending was healthy because it seemed like an arms race in a civil war - there's no outside international opponent for Australia to defeat, so spending millions on reducing recovery times by a few days or hours or the latest in video analysis doesn't seem to be the best way to spend the game's bounty when the clubs have debts, the players want an increase, community football is crying out for more help and there are major challenges from other sports. With such an arms race continuing there would never be significant money left over for community football or an international focus, no matter how large future media rights deals may be. On the other hand if club international spending, already small, is included in the new cap, that may dissuade them from pursuing risky international experiments at all.

Grant Williams, “You are correct that currently club spending on international development is relatively small. Having said that a number of clubs have partnerships with international companies and some are increasingly showing interest in development type activities. For example, Port Adelaide supports participation initiatives and competitions in southern China. As to whether any AFL club investment is included or not in the soft cap depends on whether the spend is directly classified as a football department or community department spend”.

And if not the clubs could we see a time when the AFL sees an international project where they would kick in significant money if they thought it could really have a major impact in growing the game quickly somewhere?

Grant Williams, “Any decision regarding funding increases for international development initiatives or grants is a decision for the AFL Commission and Executive. However, in recent years the AFL’s overall investment in international football development and other events/initiatives has increased including investment in the game in NZ for Premiership points, expansion of the talent Combines and the development of the Watch AFL product”.

The million dollar question is always how much the AFL spends directly on international footy and whether a significant boost is warranted or likely, and this remains closely held information. Note this interview was conducted just prior to the $2.508 billion media rights deal for 2017-2022 that was recently sealed earlier than industry watchers expected.

Grant Williams, “Funding priorities/requirements and related plans for the AFL’s next 5 year investment cycle for 2017 to 2021 will be developed in the next 6-12 months and our International investment will be appropriately and suitably considered”.

Europe and Asia

The move by European countries in to form AFL Europe seems to have been a success in the 5 years (initially as the European Australian Football Association) it has been running. The AFL funds the full time AFL Europe CEO position, but for how long and does the recent departure of Ben MacCormack see a change?

Grant Williams, “We continue to provide support to AFL Europe annually. The establishment work that has been done most recently by Chris Dow and his AFL Europe Board along with the former CEO, Ben MacCormack, has been fantastic. Megan Hession has just been appointed the new CEO of AFL Europe”.

Leagues and clubs established AFL Asia in 2013. Is there any formal relationship with the AFL? Could we see an AFL Europe type arrangement be made?

Grant Williams, “In terms of Asia, we support various projects in the regions, both financially and with in-kind support. For example, we support the employment of a full time local employee in China to assist with development. AFL Asia do not have a formal affiliation, however we do have regular contact and dialogue with representatives of Asian football and strive to provide guidance and assistance where possible and when asked”.

Seeding the game and African expansion

The AFL has traditionally waited for established leagues or clubs to approach them, but would they consider trying to seed the game in emerging economies? Areas like Mexico and South America are seen as emerging economic tigers of the 21st century, but there's little footy development there and yet to be any formal connection with the AFL. Wouldn't it be smart to try to ride the wave with some targeted investment?

Grant Williams, “We do have a finite budget/resources and it is difficult to invest in every market. We will continue to try to be innovative and support (where we can by providing resources, etc.) the dedicated volunteers that are willing to support the game in the many places where we don’t make a direct financial investment. The challenge in areas such as Mexico and South America is that it would require significant investment and resources to have any meaningful impact”.

And on to Africa. At one stage South Africa were seen as the golden child of international football, and although progress continues to me made it appears some of the most exciting initiatives that were mooted a few years ago have not eventuated. There was talk about 5 years ago of a University program being set up in South Africa which would be a launching pad into the rest of the continent. Since then there's been some good consolidation and a lot more locals employed in the game which is very pleasing but almost no talk of expansion within South Africa or to other countries. It seems the rest of Africa, and South America, are off the radar. And on that point, former AFL Commissioner and football visionary and current Geelong President Colin Carter has pleaded with the AFL Commission to invest heavily in South Africa in the order of $2 million annually to make a leap forward. Did that cause some interest in the international footy department?

Grant Williams, “Having influential advocates that see the potential for the growth and development of international football is positive. Pete and I will continue to work with the AFL Executive in setting the direction for our international plans and investment which ultimately need sign off from the AFL Commission. We have made some significant steps forward in terms of international football in recent times in a number of areas including playing matches abroad for Premiership points, the expansion and development of the talent pathway programs, 2014 saw the largest International Cup played and growth of the Watch AFL program. AFL Clubs are also showing increasing interest in becoming more engaged internationally. There are still a large number avenues which need to be explored and we are open to exploring new opportunities and initiatives. We are mindful however that to ensure sustainable growth, we need take a considered, measured and responsible approach with our plans and investment”.

Thanks to Grant for the extensive interview. On the one hand it demonstrates an active engagement on many fronts and on the other there’s still not that grand, well funded vision that so many of us crave. Given the comments by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan soon after this interview was conducted, confirming ongoing support across grass roots international footy but also hinting at some targeted areas, perhaps we’ll start to see grander plans over the course of the next media deal. We watch with intere ...

2015 AFL Round 22 - International broadcast schedules

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Friday night footy at the MCG kicks off Round 22 with Geelong hosting Collingwood.  The Cats battling for a place in the finals. 

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. 

US viewers will be pleased that the Sydney vs St Kilda match is to be shown live (assuming Jason Holmes is selected again for St Kilda this week) on FOX Soccer Plus. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

NetworkRegionGeel v CollGWS v CarlHaw v BrisNM vs WBEss v RichGCS v Pt AdelAdel v WCEStK v SydFreo v MelbHighlights
Australia PlusAsia28/8 @ 17:30 HK (Live)29/8 @ 11:30 HK (Live)-29/8 @ 14:30 HK (Live)29/8 @ 17:30 HK (Live)-30/8 @ 11:00 HK (Live)-30/8 @ 14:30 HK (Live)2/9 @ 02:00 HK
Australia PlusPacific28/8 @ 21:30 Fiji (Live)29/8 @ 15:30 Fiji (Live)-29/8 @ 18:30 Fiji (Live)29/8 @ 21:30 Fiji (Live)-30/8 @ 15:00 Fiji (Live)-30/8 @ 18:30 Fiji (Live)2/9 @ 06:00 Fiji
Australia PlusIndia28/8 @ 15:00 IND (Live)29/8 @ 09:00 IND (Live)-29/8 @ 12:00 IND (Live)29/8 @ 15:00 IND (Live)-30/8 @ 08:30 IND (Live)-30/8 @ 12:00 IND (Live)1/9 @ 23:30 IND
ESPN BT SportUK & Ireland28/8 @ 10:30 BST (Live)29/8 @ 04:30 BST (Live)--29/8 @ 10:00 BST (Live)-30/8 @ 04:00 BST (Live)-30/8 @ 07:30 BST (Live)1/9 @ 19:00 BST
ESPNCaribbean----29/8 @ 05:00 EST (Live)----2/9 @ 01:00 EST
EUROSPORT2Europe---29/8 @ 08:30 CET (Live)------
EUROSPORT2UK & Ireland---31/8 @ 24:00 CET (Delay)-----2/9 @ 12:00 CET
EUROSPORT2Asia---29/8 @ 12:30 CET (Live)------
FOX SPORTSUSA--------30/8 @ 02:30 ET (Live-
FOX SOCCER PLUSUSA28/8 @ 05:30 ET (Live)--29/8 @ 02:30 ET (Live)---30/8 @ 01:00 ET (Live)-31/8 @ 17:00 ET
ORBIT SHOWTIMEMiddle East28/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)--29/8 @ 06:35 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 09:20 GMT (Live)--30/8 @ 05:20 GMT (Live)--
OTLSMWorldwide (Boats & Cruises)28/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)---------
RDSQuebec----------
RDS2Quebec------1/9 @ 19:00 EST (Delay)---
SKY SPORTSNew Zealand-------31/8 @ 24:00 (Delay)--
SUPER SPORTAfrica----------
TSN2Canada------30/8 @ 02:00 EST (Delay)-30/8 @ 16:30 EST (Delay)-
CLARO SPORTSLatin America29/8 @ 08:30 CTU (Delay)---------
WATCHAFL.COM.AUWorldwide (excl. Australia)28/8 @ 09:50 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 03:45 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 04:10 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 06:35 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 09:20 GMT (Live)29/8 @ 09:20 GMT (Live)30/8 @ 03:10 GMT (Live)30/8 @ 05:20 GMT (Live)30/8 @ 06:40 GMT (Live) 

 

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

McKenna breaks through for Bombers debut

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Essendon football club today announced that Irish code crosser Conor McKenna is upgraded from the rookie list to the senior list and will debut in the AFL this Saturday night at the MCG.

McKenna originally from Tyrone in Northern Ireland was drafted as an International Rookie last year after he was spotted by Essendon, who were one of two AFL clubs that attended the AFL's talent combine in Ireland in December 2013.  He also was invited to the National Combine in Melbourne last year.

McKenna has been a lively forward for the Bombers this season kicking 18 goals from 15 matches in Essendon's VFL team.

McKenna is the second Irishman to cross from Gaelic football to Aussie rules to play at Essendon after Michael Quinn who played 8 games at his time with the club in 2009-10.

Conor McKenna 2015 VFL Stats

DateOppositionBSTGBHDKEKIEHEHIEHRCMUMMKSTKSFFFAHO
Sun 26/AprCollingwood000413030331020
Sun 3/MayCasey Scorpions001033310442010
Sun 10/MayCoburg011344151342010
Sat 16/MayBox Hill Hawks013134140225011
Sat 23/MayNorthern Blues002123040111020
Sat 30/MayRichmond Tigers421225143251010
Sat 6/JunGeelong Cats641720120332210
Sat 27/JunPort Melbourne011244120222100
Sat 4/JulWilliamstown230305011230000
Sat 18/JulNorth Ballarat001416340112020
Sat 25/JulGeelong Cats011443042132220
Sun 2/AugFootscray Bulldogs020508040221120
Sun 9/AugWerribee Tigers010201100220000
Sun 16/AugFrankston0215371100660010
Fri 21/AugFootscray Bulldogs000439050443130
...

SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy to China

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Port Adelaide, in partnership with the University of South Australia, is delighted to announce the club’s SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy team will travel to China in November to take part in a series of cultural initiatives including an exhibition game against Team China, the Chinese national AFL team, in Guangzhou.

The Academy team will travel to China on November 23 for a ten-day trip that will include cultural exchange sessions at local schools, football coaching clinics, an official reception at the Australian Embassy and a visit to the Great Wall of China.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said this excursion, which has been partly funded by UniSA, provides a rare opportunity for the Aboriginal and Chinese cultures to unite.

“As a club we are extremely proud and excited to take the SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy to China,” Mr Thomas said.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the members of this Academy to travel to China and learn about the values and beliefs of another traditional culture.

“Most of these Academy team members haven’t been outside of South Australia and have hardly left their remote communities and now they are heading to China, the world’s most populated country, to share and promote their culture. What an incredible learning experience this promises to be for these students.

“A massive thank you to UniSA for their significant backing of this trip and our Aboriginal Programs in general, as well as EnergyAustralia who are the Principal Partner of our Aboriginal Academy team.”

Professor David Lloyd, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia, said UniSA were thrilled to partner Port Adelaide on this project.

“This is an extraordinary project which connects and builds on two key areas of the strong collaboration between Port Adelaide and the University: supporting indigenous youth; and building the profile of Australian sport and education in China,” Professor Lloyd said.

Mr Thomas said Port Adelaide’s SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy was another example of how football can act as a tool to encourage Aboriginal students to achieve great results.

“Our SAASTA Aboriginal AFL Academy is a program designed to use an elite football product as an incentive for young Aboriginal students to complete their secondary education,” Mr Thomas said.

“Only students who have a proven record of school attendance and academic application will be considered for our football academy and I’m delighted that all students in our current Academy are on track to complete their SACE certificate this year.”

Mr Thomas said the trip to China was a great reward for the Academy team members and works perfectly within Port Adelaide’s two key off-field strategic objectives – Aboriginal community programs and the continual engagement of the Chinese community.

“As a club we have a strong commitment to engage the Chinese community here in South Australia but also in China itself,” Mr Thomas said.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve introduced a number of initiatives in China including the sponsorship of Team China and the local Southern China AFL competition.

“And just recently we wore a Chinese-themed guernsey in the AFL Multicultural Round with both the Chinese and Australian national flags displayed on the front and the player’s name in Chinese characters on the back.

“We see our Academy team’s excursion to China as the perfect alignment of these two important club strategies.”
  ...

Code Hoppers Making a Big Impact

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Arguably the biggest story in Australian sport this week was the amazing effort of former Parramatta Eels Rugby League player, Jarryd Hayne, bamboozling opponents in his new found code, American Football. In trying out for a contract with the San Francisco 49ers, his run, agility and power left experienced players in his wake and made the code’s recruiting people think that maybe there are more Aussies that possess the skills to succeed in the American national game.

In the days since his break-out game other potential Rugby-League and Rugby-Union players have been touted as the “next Hayne”.

Code-hopping in itself is not new. The AFL’s recent experiments with Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folou were well documented, though both ultimately fell short of their intention. They were local stories moving from one Australian code to another. But trying another code in another country is arguably harder. This is territory that past AFL players have dabbled in with Ben Graham, Sav Rocca and “Diamond Jim” Tilbrook some of the better known VFL/AFL players who have cracked the American national game.


But behind these examples lurks another potentially enormous code hop – internationally born and raised players leaving their own codes and countries to give the Australian game a go. Whilst the “Hayne Train” has succeeded in crossing the Pacific from Parramatta to San Francisco, there is a big wind blowing through the current AFL landscape which may yet top Hayne’s efforts.

This coming weekend there are five players lining up for AFL clubs who have journeyed far from home to play our game at its highest level. Jason Holmes (St Kilda - USA), Mike Pyke (Sydney - Canada), Pearce Hanley (Brisbane – Ireland), Conor McKenna (Essendon – Ireland) and Zac Tuohy (Carlton – Ireland) will take the field for their adopted clubs. Mason Cox (Collingwood – USA) was expected to be named for his debut, a week on from Holmes, but didn’t quite make the cut. Maybe next week.

This is an interesting statistic. It means that this weekend just over 1.25% of the 396 players that take the field for senior AFL games with the 18 national teams have code-hopped their way to the highest level of AFL football directly from overseas. Some will look at 1.25% and say – “proves nothing, that’s a tiny percentage”. If Cox does get picked next week, that figure will jump to 1.5% if the others are not dropped for their Round 23 matches. But ten years ago – maybe even five – people would have laughed loudly at the prospect of even one percent of AFL players coming directly to clubs from overseas. Half a percent would have got a decent chuckle and quarter of a percent would have elicited at least a crooked smile.

And these are just the players being selected for senior duties. There are many others, largely from the USA and Ireland, playing in the VFL. They are scattered across Geelong, Fremantle, West Coast. Half of the AFL clubs currently boast an international code-hopper and others have previously taken the plunge to varying degrees of success. Out of Ireland alone there have been 21 players reach a senior game with an AFL/VFL team since Sean Wight in 1982. In that time 33 others have signed with a VFL/AFL club without playing a senior match.

A few weeks ago the AFL celebrated the Multicultural Round where it recognised the diverse ethnic origins of players at all levels of the game. Players like Majak Daw, Adam Saad, Ahmed Saad, Nic Natanui, Jason Johannisen, Lin Jong and more were standard bearers for the ongoing wave of multicultural embracement of the game. But the deeds of the Hanley, Holmes, McKenna, Tuohy, Pyke quintet are more unique, and potentially more game-changing again.

This is a landmark round for the international future of Australian Rules football. Whether or not the clubs that cannot play finals are using the round for experiments might be why the spike in international players, but regardless the players are there. In the wings blokes like Sean Hurley at Fremantle, Paddy Brophy at West Coast, Alex Auricchio at the Northern Blues, Ciaran Sheehan and Ciaran Byrne at Carlton, Cian Hanley at Brisbane or Kurt Heatherley at Hawthorn will now see the task of reaching the highest level as more and more achievable.

More and more players have come to Australia and tried their luck with VFL and local league teams this year and more players from Basketball, American Football, Gaelic Football and overseas Australian Rules clubs are trying their luck at AFL endorsed talent combines to sell their wares and hope for that big break.

As more players see other countrymen realise their dreams, those dreams will transfer onto others.

There will always be the sceptics who will hear Andrew Demetriou’s words from a couple of years ago when he stated that our game is an “unashamedly” indigenous game to Australia. That may well remain true in many respects, but the influx of international talent, the growth of the game in many international markets and the recognition of local multicultural talent through the workings of the AFL’s own Diversity Unit fly a little in the face of that statement. This weekend’s selections for Round 22 teams are the strongest evidence yet that the tide is turning, maybe quicker than Demetriou or others had anticipated.

Whilst Gillon McLachlan’s recent speeches have skirted and danced around the edges of the international development of the game, and funding the game at an international level will always be a lower priority that grass roots development in Australia, the fact is that clubs are now seeing a viable international market. The pathways first trodden by the likes of Jim Stynes, Sean Wight or Tadhg Kennelly and considered a successful anomaly are now being trodden with more frequency by a new generation of interested players. And as long as players like Mike Pyke can win premiership medals, or Pearce Hanley can be a 2nd and 3rd placegetter in the Brisbane Lions best & fairest in consecutive years, there will be a growing belief that in another generation there will be more success.

If in ten years from now there was a jump to two percent of overseas players, that would be ten or so players. Three percent might be the equivalent of one player per club at AFL’s highest level.

It might even come to pass that arriving international players make the same impact on our code as Jarryd Hayne has just done in American football. Sceptics can be sceptics, but the evidence is mounting that international players will become more common and successful in Australian Rules football in years to come.

Who knows? Maybe all five players will be dropped for next weekend. But it doesn’t matter…the seeds of belief and success have already been planted. There’s no turning back now. ...

Aurrichio hoping to follow in footsteps of fellow American Holmes

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The following story by Travis King at www.afl.com looks at the next potential cab off the rank of North American sportsmen who have left behind their native codes to try their luck at Australian Rules football on the highest stage – the AFL.

 

AMERICAN man mountain Alex Aurrichio says he's been inspired to keep chasing his AFL dream by Jason Holmes' action-packed debut for St Kilda.

 

Holmes' high-leaping ruckwork had a major impact in the Saints' draw with Geelong last Saturday night.

 

 

And it proved to rookie hopeful Aurrichio that there's rewards on offer if he persists and builds on an encouraging first season playing VFL for the Northern Blues.

 

"Jumping over the Geelong ruck … unreal," Aurrichio said of his compatriot Holmes.

 

"He's had a hell of a week. I actually spoke to him a couple of times, I think he's still in a bit of shock – he hasn't taken it all in yet. But he's handled it really well and he played really well on the weekend, which was good.

 

"Seeing how successful he's been, it definitely pushes you that much harder knowing there's definitely opportunities if you earn it."

 

Nothin will stop Alex Aurrichio

 

Aurrichio is more of a power athlete than the spring-heeled Holmes, who hails from Chicago.

 

At 198cm, he's slightly shorter than most League ruckmen but that's just another hurdle the hulking 107kg former soccer goalkeeper is determined to overcome.

 

Aurrichio only arrived in Australia last November after being encouraged by his New York Magpies teammates to bite the bullet and move down under, despite no clubs following up after he tested well at the USAFL Combine.

 

He's defied his wildest expectations by playing in 10 senior VFL matches so far for the Carlton-aligned Northern Blues.

 

A raft of injuries cracked the door open and he's competed hard to average 28 hit-outs (Holmes averaged 29 this year before making his Saints debut) and five disposals.

 

Last round, Aurrichio achieved a heartening landmark when he was named in the Blues' best for the first time after winning 36 hit-outs in a 90-point hammering from Box Hill, a side stacked with Hawthorn-listed players.

 

"Right now we've been ravaged by injuries. Top to bottom, we've been killed … it's kind of worked out in my favour a little bit," he told AFL.com.au.

 

"(Robert) Warnock went down and a couple of other injuries have really opened the door for me. It's been a hell of a year to be honest, just in terms of personal development.

 

"I've played at the 'G, I've played at Etihad and I'm going to play this weekend at Simonds Stadium down at Geelong.

 

"The situation I was in when I first came out here, if you had of told me I would play at these iconic Australian stadiums, I would've said 'You're out of your mind'."

 

 

To read this story in full, click on the following link to afl.com:  http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-27/aurrichio-hoping-to-follow-in-footsteps-of-fellow-american-holmes     ...

Norway Grand Final – Oslo West v Ås Battlers

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The final round of the Norwegian Australian Rules football competition, the Kenguru Cup, was completed last week with results going heavily in favour of the Oslo West team which secured their historic first Grand Final berth. After two years in last place, Oslo West won both games in the final round to take top spot – in the process recording the highest amount of wins in the competition’s history with eight from ten games.

They will take on the second placed Ås Battlers which won its final match against Oslo East by a big margin after earlier going down to Oslo West by just one point.

This sets up a fascinating Grand Final, to be played at the Voldsløkka Rugby Field in Oslo on Thursday, September 3rd (Norway time) against the 2013 winners, the Ås Battlers, and the newcomers to the big day Oslo West.


The Oslo Crows website summed up the fortunes of the Oslo West team by stating that “from last place every year to first place on the table, a record point margin is simply impressive [from] the guys from the west edge.”

The result, however, is far from decided. The Battlers got within a single point of upsetting West in the final round, suggesting that the flag will be won by the best team on the day rather than what has gone before throughout the other rounds of the Kenguru Cup.

Little has separated these two teams throughout the season, though West always managed to find that extra edge to take the points. In fact, the last two meetings between the teams have been decided by a total of just three points, highlighting how closely matched they are. The Battlers would have learned a great deal from the game and will enter the Grand Final with renewed belief.

Whatever happens, footy in Norway is sure to see a very exciting Grand Final in 2015, and a fitting end to another exciting seaso ...

South Dublin Swans Take ARFLI Premiership

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The South Dublin Swans have continued their rise of recent weeks to peak at just the right time and take out the 2015 ARFLI premiership, downing the raging hot favourites in the process. The Belfast Redbacks had been the dominant Irish team throughout most of the season, but on the day that mattered most it was the Swans that triumphed.

By half time the Swans had already stated their intentions, pulling out to an 11 point lead, 3 7 25 to 2 2 14. The Redbacks knew they had a challenge on their hands and came back hard in the second half, but the stoic Swans held out for a thrilling two point victory, winning 6 9 45 to 6 7 43.

The Swans had already dented the Redback’s armour in their final round clash where the result saw the Swans pull away to an eventual 25 point win. It would be Belfast’s only loss for the home and away season, but looking back the result was profound.


For the Swans it is their fifth premiership (2006, 2010, 2011, 2013) and the result is an almost fitting form of revenge for last year’s defeat at the hands of the Redbacks, also by just two points. The two teams have split the premierships between them since 2010 with the Redbacks taking the titles in 2012 (their maiden premiership) and 2014. For the Swans, the result makes them the most successful Irish club in terms of premierships. Their fifth flag sees them go past the Leeside Lions and Dublin Demons with four each.

For the Swans it is time to revel in the victory, which no doubt they already are. The Redbacks can now take some time to review their season and find solutions to questions raised in their last few matches in a bid to turn the tables in 2016.

With the end of the domestic ARFLI season, attention in Ireland will now turn to the international teams as they head to Umag, Croatia, to contest the Axios Euro Cup where fired up Irish Warriors and Irish Banshees teams hope to again take out the double and be recognised as the best Australian Football national teams in Europe.

But for the time being it is the turn of the South Dublin Swans to Shine. Congratulations

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AFLNT Centenary Draw Released for 2015/16 NTFL Season

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The new NTFL season is just weeks away as the AFLNT begins to celebrate its 100th season. Footy in the Northern Territory got under way back in 1916 and this season the AFLNT is set to augment the on field footy with plenty of opportunities to celebrate 100 years.

Amongst the proposed activities there will be a permanent and static display of Northern Territory footy memorabilia housed in the Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre adjacent to TIO Stadium in Darwin.

But the biggest ticket item is the commencement of the new season and the AFLNT has just released the draw for the 2015/16 season. The action gets under way with a triple header on Saturday 10th October at TIO Stadium.

(Picture: Wanderers players celebrate their 2014/15 premiership win - Photo: NT News


Firstly the Tiwi Bombers will take on Waratah, followed by the clash between Palmerston and Buffaloes. These act in a sense as curtain raisers to the big event of the night – the grand final replay between Wanderers and St Mary’s. These two played out a wonderful grand final last season with the Wanderers completing a fairy tale of sorts to just sneak into the finals then go all the way to beat the raging hot favourites St Mary’s on the big day.

The NTFL’s competition has enjoyed increases in numbers attending games and watching via media streaming through AFLNTv. The new season is set to chase new records as the summer competition whets the appetites of southern audiences where competitions go into their own summer hiatus.

Northern Territory audiences will still enjoy the next few weeks as their own NT Thunder team in the NEAFL challenges for a premiership. Currently they sit in second place on the ladder after the completion of the home and away season and have earned a week off before playing in the second semi final.

It would be an enormous boost to Territory football in their 100th year if the NT Thunder can win the 2015 flag and set the scene for the upcoming NTFL season.
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Canada v USA (or Pyke v Holmes) – An Analysis

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Much has been made of the recent match-up between these two North American products after they lined up against each other in the ruck last weekend. When Sydney Swans took on St Kilda, much of the Australian Rules football world was salivating at the thought of an American and a Canadian player locking horns at the highest level of the game.

But, for all that anticipation, how did they actually go?

To look at pure figures is a long way from a fair comparison. With Sydney walloping St Kilda by a massive 97 points, through a great team effort, any comparison of two directly opposed players would always be a little skewed.


In pure bold match day statistics it is hardly a surprise to learn that Mike Pyke had the better of the dual based on a player v player comparison. His match stats saw 6 kicks and 7 handpasses for a total of 13 disposals. He also collected 4 marks, 1 tackle and finished the match with 15 hitouts and 2 goals. Not a bad afternoon’s work in his 107th AFL match.

By comparison, Jason Holmes was in his second AFL game. Very unfair to expect a fair comparison, but for the record he managed 1 kick, 2 handpasses for a total of 3 possessions. He also managed 18 hitouts (better than Pyke) gave away 1 free kick, laid 2 tackles and did not score.

As stated, grossly unfair to compare performance given their different levels of experience, pathways to the game, surrounding team performance and more.

But here is something a bit more reasonable. Back in 2009, when Pyke debuted in Round 2 against a rampant Geelong which won by 51 points, his stats were remarkably similar to those of Holmes last weekend.

Pyke managed that day to get 2 kicks and 5 handpasses for a total of 7 disposals. He also had 18 hitouts, laid 3 tackles, gave away 2 free kicks and did not score. But for a couple of extra handballs, Pike played out his second AFL match in much the same statistical way as Holmes.

Whilst it is difficult to compare games played 6 years or more apart and in different circumstances, there is enough evidence in those figures to suggest that Holmes, if given the same amount of opportunity, might one day be at least as effective as Pyke.

Time will tell, but the bold statistics to date certainly give us something to think about, and maybe hope for.

But one thing is certain. The dual represents a landmark day for Australian Rules football here in Australia, in Canada, the USA and across the entire world where the game is pla ...
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