World Footy News

Here are a few snippets of footy info from around the web over the past few weeks, with signs of increasing professionalism in South Africa, Jason Akermanis again pushing the AFL to embrace Japan, and Essendon translating part of their website into Japanese.

AFL South Africa expand staff (submitted by Brett)

In one of the first signs of the 2007 expansion in AFL South Africa's staff, the League advertised on their website for a Financial Officer. Applications were to be sent to the Head Office of AFL South Africa in Potchefstroom at Sedgars Park. It's encouraging to see that AFLSA have settled into their new headquarters - even better will be when the first game is played there, with all the benefits such a professional venue can offer (as discussed here). That match is fast approaching - more on the game later.

Aka on Asia (submitted by Brett)

The former Brisbane Lion and now Western Bulldog is again pushing for the AFL to expand into Asia, with his focus on Japan. The article on Realfooty, by Geoff Rounds, quotes Aka as citing the Australian National Basketball League's push, with the Singapore Slingers a recent addition. Soccer has also embraced the region with A-League sides competing against top Asian clubs. The article also mentions the Japan AFL and originally had a photo from Japan versus Spain in the 2005 International Cup.

Dons see Japanese potential (submitted by Damian)

Essendon must surely be the first AFL club to make the effort to translate part of their site into Japanese. The Dons have several sponsors from Japan (Yakult, Japan Airlines and Toyota) and have continued to have Japanese players involved in pre-season training. A Google translation shows the site has a brief history of the club and a review of their round one defeat of Adelaide. Besides the link above, the Japanese area is accessible through their front page under the Matches menu.