World Footy News

An old favourite and a relative newcomer were the latest US clubs to kick off their 2005 season recently with their nearest rivals. And in other news another team looks to make their debut at this year's National Championships.

The Louisville Cats were one of the founding clubs for footy in America back in 1996. ‘Papa John’ Harrell organised a team in his city to take on Cincinnati as the original spark for the competition that thrives today. With John’s sudden tragic death in 2003 it seemed that his club went into an extended period of mourning for their beloved leader. It was fitting that they made a welcome return with a match against their original sparring partner Cincinnati in 2005. The match played at Hayes Kennedy Park in Louisville was a close affair with the Cincinnati Dockers running out winners 6.3 (39) to the Cats 5.6 (36). The Cats will travel to Cincinnati to play both the Dockers and the Pittsburgh Wallabies later this month, before another home match against Kansas City Power and then competing in the Nashville Aussie Festival tournament in September.

Out in the North-West Portland Power have been building themselves up to form a team that can compete at the 2005 Nationals. A number of players who have relocated from other US teams have boosted the Oregon team’s numbers this year. After some intra club matches and some Portland players joining the Seattle team in Burnaby Canada for the BC Cup, they travelled to Spinney Homestead Park in Seattle to take on the Seattle Grizzlies last week. In a tight contest that saw the Seattle side stretch their lead by a few points each quarter the Grizzlies prevailed by fourteen points at the final siren. Seattle Grizzlies 11.7 (73) to Portland 9.5 (59). The Power have a series of matches against two Seattle metro teams as well as competing in the Calgary Stampede Cup in August before hopefully making their first appearance at the US National Championships in Milwaukee this October.

Also looking to attend the National Championships this year are the Rocky Mountain Football and Cricket Club. While the Saints are unlikely to compete in any other competition this year they are looking to make a run in the US National Championships and currently have a squad practicing at Cottonwood Park in Parker, Colorado. The club have been working on having a competition football team for a number of years and would be making their debut in the National tournament. They have the better part of a team committed to attend at this stage and hope to confirm a full squad by September.