World Footy News

Will the United States military be the next big area of growth for Australian Rules football? World Footy News conducted an email-based interview with some people who think it could be, and are actively leading the charge, with the first US Army side, the Mojave Greens.

David Payne is a Platoon Leader in the US Army, based at Fort Irwin, in the Mojave Desert, in California, USA. The US military has a long history of strongly supporting sports programs within its ranks. David has been instrumental in setting up their first Australian Rules football team, the Mojave Greens. The side competed in the California Australian Football League this year. Unfortunately the season was cut short, but plans are underway for a better 2005, and the Greens intend being part of that. World Footy News was keen to chat to David, as the Greens could be the start of a great new area of growth for Aussie Rules in the US.

WFN: Hi David, thanks for doing an interview with World Footy News. Do you remember the first time you ever heard of and/or saw Australian Rules football?

David: I first heard of Aussie Rules by chance when I was switching channels on a Navy satellite one night.

WFN: When did you first think Australian footy would be a good sport for the US Army, and why?

David: After playing for the now defunct LA Crows back from 1998-2001. As a school teacher I incorporated some of the on-ball drills in my basketball classes. After September 11, 2001 I realized that I could serve my country a second time, but as an officer. Fast forward after finishing Officer candidate school and my officer basic course I was transferred back to Southern California. Instead of the Los Angeles area my family and I live in the Mojave Desert. Anyhow, I called up Chris Olson from the OC Bombers and struck up our friendship and love for footy and he and Bombers helped me in ways I can never thank them in getting the Greens up and going. The Greens were founded by Ken 'Flopper' Sandel, Chris Angel [editor: we might just sensor that nickname!], Kerry Bonas, and myself. We went out one evening to kick the footy around and ten soldiers showed up to play flag football. I went up to them and asked them if they would like to play some "real football" and the Greens were formed. Our chain of command has been helpful in giving us time off to travel to games and 14 sponsors stepped up financially to get us uniforms, more footys, and help pay for travel expenses The chain of command thinks it's worth investing their time and energy to help develop the "Warrior Ethos" in our soldiers. Footy fits the warrior ethos to a tee.

WFN: How did you go about the process of starting a team? What were your first points of contact with the USAFL and Calfooty?

David: Chris Olson a great guy who wants to see footy grow throughout the US.

WFN: How did your colleagues receive the idea of Australian Rules football? Had many people at Fort Irwin come across the game before?

David: We were blessed with young soldeirs wanting to play a physical game that was similar to soccer, basketball, football, and baseball. None of the guys, except for Tony Pasqualichio, had ever heard of the game. Tony is married to an Aussie girl from North Queensland (Samantha is a rugby fan though).

WFN: How many guys have you had actively training and playing?

David: Before the deployment hit Ft. Irwin, we had 32 players and another 20 followers in our club.

WFN: Do you play yourself?

David: Not anymore I have bad knees from playing basketball my whole life.

WFN: There has been a great tradition of Australian soldiers having impromptu games of footy when overseas, possibly going back as far as the Boer War in South Africa. I understand there has been some footy played by US troops when away in Iraq?

David: Yeah, this is a great story SSG Steven Barker, SPC Po Lao, SGT Daniel Davis, and SGT Keshon Peyton were practicing with the team from April - May and then they recieved orders to go on an extended vaction to the middle east. Anyhow, they took a rubber footy with them and about three weeks ago SGT Daniel Davis came back to Irwin on R and R and told me that they had been kicking the ball around and had set up a crude field with post and all near the Baghdad airport. I am in the process of getting photos of them actually playing. They are committed to the sport and hopefully will have improved their skills, so when they get back they will be able to share their experiences with our new players and hopefully assist with coaching duties.

WFN: Where do you see the Greens and Californian footy going in 2005, and beyond? Do you see the sport spreading through the US military?

David: We have about 20 new club memebers plus a few ladies that are interested in starting a ladies team so I feel fairly strong about our future. The game will spread due to the US army's rotating soldiers from place to place. These kids that have played here will take footy elsewhere and in a short time footy will be the game for all soldiers.

WFN: What are the major challenges facing the Mojave Greens in the short term?

David: Right now just gettting a new group up and trained. Leigh "the human highlight film" Barnes from the Golden Gate Roos has offered to come down and conduct some clinics to help get our skills up. The SD Lions and OC Bombers have also expressed an interest in helping as well.

WFN: You advertised for a coach recently, with the possibility of some financial support, rare in the amateur early years of Aussie Rules in the US. How did that go?

David: Well we were looking at two specific guys but they were unable to get the right type of visa to land a job on FT.Irwin. The job is still vacant, but the new squad is allowing me to stay on until we get the right person.

WFN: The Greens combined with an Arizona AFL side, the Tucson Javelinas, to play in Division III of the Pratt Industries 2004 US Nationals, held recently in Atlanta. You had a couple of nasty losses and a big win. What was the whole tournament experience like?

David: Anytime you go to a big time tournament you want to compete on a high level and due to our limited numbers and lack of time playing together we were obviously disappointed with the outcome. However, the overall experience and the friendships made will last a lifetime for those who wore the 'Mojave Green' rattle snake on their chest.

WFN: I believe you're secretary for the USAFL board. How long have you held that position, and how have you found the involvement?

David: I was selected by USFOOTY in July I think. Anyhow, it's been a great expreince and has been made all the more better by the help I have been given by the other board members. They are some of the best folks I have had the honor of knowing.

WFN: Thanks very much for your time David, and good luck with developing footy in the US.

David: Thanks for being interested in us and GO GREENS.



World Footy News now has a quick chat with Sgt Judith Labruno, Treasurer for the Greens.

WFN: Hi Jude. When did you first start helping the Greens, and why?

Jude: I started helping the Greens in July this year. I had worked with LT Payne in the past and when he told me that there were board positions open on the Mojave Greens, I was interested because I had never experienced Austrailian football.

WFN: Had you heard of Australian Rules football before the Greens?

Jude: I had heard of Australian football before the Greens, but I had no idea about the rules of the game!

WFN: Women's footy has started in a few parts of the US. Have you thought of playing footy yourself?

Jude: I have given serious thought to playing on a womens league, but to be perfectly honest I would rather play with the guys. When the new season starts up I plan on attending and participating in the practices. Who knows from there!



Finally we turn to Anthony "Paz" Pasqualichio, a current player with Mojave.

WFN: G'day Tony. Can you give us a quick run-down on your background - where you're from, how old, what other sports you have played and stuff like that.

Tony: Ok, I am originally from Dunmore, PA (northeast). I've played Hockey, Football (gridiron), Rugby and Baseball. I've been in the military for the last 18 years and am 36 years old. Most likely the oldest member of the team that still plays (not counting Coach Payne).

WFN: When did you first hear of Aussie Rules football? What were your first thoughts, if you can recall?

Tony: I was driving home one night last winter and two guys were on the radio recruiting new players for the Mojave Greens (Peachy and Payne). I figured Aussie Rules wouldn't be much different than Rugby. I went to the try outs and was totally lost. For some reason they decided to keep me on. They must have been hurting for numbers real bad.

WFN: So how long have you been playing for? Did it take a while to get into it? What would be your best and worst assets (if that isn't revealing too much to your opponents).

Tony: I've been playing ever since. I was hooked after the first practice and my skills continue to improve. I guess my best asset would be my heart, and never quit attitude I try to bring to the team (I reckon my hands are pretty good and I'm a pretty fair marker). My worst asset is my speed as my age is catching up on me. I was injured in practice about 6 months ago and have just recovered. I will be working on my speed this winter and expect to be faster this coming year.

WFN: What position do you play most, and is that your favourite spot?

Tony: Mostly Full-Forward or Forward Pocket, sometimes I go in for a Rover if needed. I like it up front, but I like the action in the middle as well.

WFN: Did you go to the US Nationals in Atlanta this year? If so, what was that like? What was the best part of it?

Tony: I went to Nationals and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was the first weekend I played after the injury and I absolutely sucked, but being on the field was great. I was mostly a crumber and passed the ball off to the guys who could run. The best part of Nationals was being able to meet all of the other teams. I had no idea how big footy was in the states. I can't wait for next year.

WFN: So do you see yourself playing footy for a few more years - any long term football ambitions? What if you leave the services - will you look for a local team then?

Tony: I expect to play for as long as my legs hold out and then coach. Coach Payne has started using me as an assistant coach, but I hope to be playing for at least two more years. When I leave the service I will most likely move to Australia with my wife Samantha. She is from Dalrymple Heights, QLD. I know it's a Rugby state, but I am hoping to find an old timers footy league, or maybe coach or help out with Auskick.

WFN: Thanks very much Tony. Good luck with your footy.

That wraps up our interview with some of the people involved with the Mojave Greens. More information came to hand as this piece was being written that the club is training up a bunch of new players, with a trial game held with players from other Californian teams. If this rate of player development is maintained, many hundreds of potential new players could be fed out into the US footy system. This might see new clubs formed, or more depth at existing clubs. It certainly is an exciting time for the game in the US.