World Footy News

Our game goes global

The AFL's International Development Committee plays a vital role.

In 1995, former New Zealand AFL President and General Manager Will McKenzie established the International Australian Football Council.

The AFL supported this new body as a vehicle to facilitate communication between the then mainly fledging international leagues, and to inform the AFL on international activities generally.

An initial aim of the IAFC was the staging of an official World Cup of Australian Football in 2008 as part of the celebrations to mark the 150-year anniversary of our great game first being played.

With the rapid development, however, of several of these international leagues and the success of the competition staged at the Arafura Games in Darwin in 1995, 1997 and 1999, the IAFC sought AFL support to bring its proposed event forward to 2002 to provide further international impetus.

After a series of positive discussions, it was agreed that the AFL was the body best positioned to conduct the event, and to accept responsibility as the world governing body for Australian Football.

Accordingly, the AFL established the International Development Committee, which included independents and representatives of five international regions. To avoid duplication, the IAFC at its annual meeting in August 2002, which was attended by delegates from 11 countries, voted unanimously to disband that body and support the AFL’s International Development Committee.

The International Development Committee meets regularly by teleconference and has played a pivotal role in determining arrangements for this year’s Australian Football International Cup and the development of AFL International Policy. All 11 teams competing in this year’s event are legal entities and have formal affiliation agreements with the AFL.

Through this system, the AFL has worked closely with several countries, providing its expertise and financial assistance to establish a number of very promising junior development programs. In years to come, we are confident that this solid foundation will see the recruitment of international players by AFL clubs.

Best wishes to all teams and players participating in the second Australian Football International Cup. We look forward to a great series to showcase the international dimension of our great game.

David Matthews
General Manager, AFL game Development
Chairman, International Development Committee