World Footy News

We reported in VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams that the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) had apparently been approached to enter into a hosting arrangement with international teams attending the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. We've followed this up with the AFL and the VAFA to find out more details.

Firstly we were curious as to whether the VAFA approached the AFL, or vice versa. Certainly the AFL received feedback from WFN and others after the 2005 International Cup that involvement with local grass roots clubs would be a good way to expand the audience at matches and would potentially be better appreciated by fans and players accustomed to a similar standard.

2008 event organiser, Roger Berryman, explained that "David Matthews and myself made contact a while back with Michael Sholly VAFA CEO". Roger also knew Michael from his cricketing days. "We simply raised with him the idea of some VAFA Clubs assisting/hosting countries when they are out here for the Cup, for example host them at a training session, provision of trainers, etc. Since then he has written to his Clubs to ascertain their interest and he is quite confident that a number of clubs would get involved. Once we know what Clubs would like to help then we'll put the countries and the Clubs in contact to work something out themselves".

It has been raised that alignment with a VAFA club could be inferior to working with an AFL club. But it's fair to say that countries had mixed feelings about their interactions with AFL clubs last time around. It appears the AFL has recognised this, and will still seek AFL club alignment, but only with certain clubs, and countries could work with clubs from both tiers.

Berryman explained, "If a country can work an alignment with both a VAFA and AFL Club then that's a great thing... we will try and facilitate an alignment with the AFL Clubs so long as the Club is prepared to genuinely help the country, rather than just a token approach. For example - Geelong has already said they'd work with Denmark in some capacity as they have had a relationship for some time".

And will VAFA clubs continue to work with international footy nations after the Cup? Berryman said "We'll firstly get an indication as to the level of assistance that their Clubs may offer and if anything snowballs from that then we're open to ideas about promotion, etc".

The VAFA did not respond to our attempt to contact them, but for the record, the VAFA's proposal sent to their clubs follows:

30 October 2007

Dear Club Secretaries,

In late August / September 2008 the AFL are hosting the International Cup. It is expected that approximately sixteen countries will participate in the series. No expat Australians are eligible to play and the teams will comprise solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent.

The AFL has requested that VAFA clubs become involved in hosting one of the clubs during their stay. They would be in Melbourne for approximately one week and in country Victoria for another four days.

Already there are some VAFA clubs who have a relationship with footballers from other countries and they would be ideal at hosting. Other VAFA clubs may take this opportunity to begin a relationship which could have benefits in the future.

Your obligations in hosting would be to share playing, coaching and administrative ideas and experiences, conduct a training night incorporating their players and maybe organising a social event afterwards. It would be minimal cost in both time and resources and could provide your club a link with an overseas club.

Possible teams include – Canada, China, Denmark, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tonga, USA, Germany, Israel, Sudan and Vietnam.

Next year the AFL is celebrating 150 years of football and the International Cup would be a key event.

Could you please email me at [removed for privacy] if you wish to host a club or if you require more information.

Thank you for your continued support

Regards
Michael Sholly
Chief Executive Officer