World Footy News

Melbourne's Herald Sun this morning reported on the AFL's Magpies' upcoming trip to South Africa.

In it, Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert mentions that they are already undertaking elite talent identification and that he believes African draftees are very close to happening in the AFL.

The article gives some details about the AFL international scholarship program, as well as a few pieces of information regarding other AFL clubs' activities in South Africa.

Full text follows:

Footy's search for talent in overseas breeding ground
Jon Ralph for the Herald Sun, January 15, 2008

COLLINGWOOD has described South Africa as the new recruiting frontier, with predictions of a wave of athletic stars from the African continent in coming seasons.

Four clubs will hold training camps in South Africa this off-season, and all are actively scouting for young talent that can be listed through the league's new international scholarship program.

Players from 15 to 23 years can be put on to the scholarship list for as little as $20,000 a year, which will be used for schooling in Australia.

Collingwood leaves for its training camp in South Africa on Saturday, and chief executive Gary Pert says the club is already trying to identify elite talent.

With 8000 players enrolled in competitions and Auskick in South Africa, Pert is certain the AFL will soon have its first African recruits.

"I don't think there is any question about it, and within a short period of time. With the right coaching and support, there is no doubt," Pert said.

"It's very similar to when indigenous programs started to be set up. We talked about those kids who could one day be playing in the major competition in Melbourne, and we thought it was pie-in-the-sky. Now have a look.

"When I was in Ireland, they talked about kids from gaelic footy playing AFL. And I thought that was pie-in-the-sky and look what is happening. Kids from South Africa playing for us is pie-in-the-sky, but a lot has fallen into place, so I really think it's an exciting opportunity."

The AFL held a pre-Christmas talent camp in South Africa for 50 of the best junior players, while the AFL's Academy Squad plays a yearly series against the nation's best youth side.

The mix of raw athleticism and exceptional co-ordination makes the players the perfect recruiting model for AFL clubs.

Carlton and Fremantle will play a pre-season game at Pretoria's SuperSport Park next month, with a junior indigenous side to play South Africa's national youth side as a curtain-raiser.

Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle and West Coast have provinces of South Africa which they are actively developing, with the Dockers having already lined up sponsorship from mining companies in their zone.

AFL game development manager Dave Matthews said clubs were being encouraged to embrace the international scholarship scheme.

"The thing is the kids have got a natural aptitude for the game, which has got the recruiters thinking about it. The clubs are already setting up their own networks," Matthews said.