World Footy News

The 2nd US Collegiate Invitational is coming up, and the event is being used to promote a new plan for college footy, aimed at taking Aussie Rules a step further. Australian football in the US is growing steadily but many of the recruits are already in their 20s when they take up the game, and with so many new skills to learn, they often don't reach their peak until around 30. An obvious place to attract younger players is the university system, which is also a key part of professional US sports. The USAFL has funded a report, by Belmont University Sports Administration masters student, Adam Bishop, into how to develop the college game, and it will be presented to the ANZACC National Business Conference, being held from September 9 to 11.

A background to this work on college "club footy" was given in USAFL to develop "Club Footy" in colleges. Several college-based clubs already exist in the United States, such as Arizona State Uni, competing in the Arizona AFL metro league, and Vandy Aussie Rules Club, a member of the Nashville AFL. The Nashville Kangaroos have been a big help to the college side, but recognise they have to continue to provide resources to the club, such as a website, a coach, and some general club assistance. The club also gets excellent support from the Vanderbilt Recreation Director - ranging from scheduling to booking fields - and a small budget for developing the club.

Nashville are also developing several other college sides, like the Middle Tennesse Aussie Rules Club and Blue Raider Aussie Rules. Support at "Middle" is due to a very active college tennis program which has provided good players for the Kangaroos - but they have not been able to build an independent program there. A key issue is a person to oversee the program. The campus is 45 minutes from Nashville - which they've found puts it in a totally different setting for getting someone to run the program there.

The following is a release from Vandy:

Vanderbilt Announces 2nd Annual National Collegiate Invitational! To be held at 2005 Australian Festival

Vandy Aussie Rules Club is proud to announce the 2nd Annual National Collegiate Invitational Tournament will be held on September 10 & 11, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be held at the 2005 Australian Festival - and is aimed at showcasing the development of College Club Footy in the United States. The tournament will be open to all Colleges in the United States including undergrad, graduate students, and alumni from each university.

In 2004 the University of Missouri Kangaroos defeated Vandy Aussie Rules Club in the Championship game. Other clubs that participated in 2004 were Belmont University & Middle Tennessee (both from Tennessee) - and Ohio State. To assist getting this first tournament off the ground the event was also assisted by amateur players from Nashville, Kansas City, and Louisville.

This year the tournament will be a 9 a side event and we are expecting direct college and alumni participation for the complete event (without amateur assistance). Rules and guidelines to the event are currently being established to best fit the future of College Club Footy. Vandy Aussie Rules will also be looking at reciprocating 2 trips in the fall of 2005 as part of the continued national development of Australian Football at the College Level. To register your club for 2005 National Collegiate Aussie Rules Invitational please go to www.vandyaussierules.com