World Footy News

As preparations continue for the third Australian Football International Cup (also often referred to as the AFL International Cup) it is pleasing to note that V-Line and the Victorian Country Football League have joined forces to provide transport for the competing nations as they head down to Warrnambool for two rounds of the tournament. The deal had been known about for some months but details have now been confirmed.

The VCFL's marketing and communications manager Graeme Allen told worldfootynews.com that the package is worth around AUD$25,000 which will certainly ease the load on teams. "V/Line will provide one train which will have most of the teams on it and the remainder will be on a normal scheduled service to Warrnambool". A working group has been in place since October making sure the town will turn it on for the visitors. It includes representatives of council, football leagues, umpires and schools.

A few more details are now also available about the events for players attending the Cup, including local attractions, filming of games and possible night matches. It also looks certain that Spain will not attend, leaving 17 teams as the likely number, dramatically up from 11 in 2002 and 10 in 2005.

Although a draw is not expected until July 7th, the basic schedule of rounds is understood to remain as reported earlier. Events slotted into the calendar include a civic welcome and visit to a country horse racing meet in Warrnambool, visits to schools in that local area, a trip to the Twelve Apostles (natural rock tourist attraction on the Great Ocean Road) and Tower Hill Reserve.

Dazz Productions, as per 2005, will film a number of matches, with each country having at least two matches recorded. Garry Bilson has been appointed to oversee ten trainers / medical staff to assist players at matches in Melbourne, and a similar arrangement will be in place in Warrnambool.

The tournament and associated events are currently planned as follows.

MELBOURNE

Monday 25th August

- Team Managers / Captains Briefing at Royal Park North

Tuesday 26th August

- International forum for leagues
- Welcome function at MCG

Wednesday 27th August

- Round 1 Royal Park North

Friday 29th August

- Round 2 Royal Park North

Saturday 30th August

- Round 2 continued
- 1 match possibly as curtain raiser to Kangaroos v Port Adelaide at MCG
- 1 match at St Marys FC next to Skilled Stadium (venue for Geelong v WCE)
- Half Time Parade of Teams at Telstra Dome (Carlton v Hawthorn), teams provided with tickets for up to 40


WARRNAMBOOL

Sunday 31st August

- Travel to Warrnambool and Civic Welcome and race-meet at Warrnambool Racecourse.

Monday 1st September

Local schools will select a country, becoming that country's ‘cheersquad’ and learning about that country.

- Round 3 matches
- Morning school visits (for those playing in afternoon – selected players/coaches) *
- Afternoon school visits (for those playing in morning – selected players/coaches) *
- Evening Casual Function 6.30pm – 9.00pm, Brauer College

Tuesday 2nd September

- Opportunity to enjoy a half day tour (approx 4.5 hours) to see the Twelve Apostles (Great Ocean Road) and Tower Hill Reserve (a wildlife haven inside a dormant volcano). Morning and afternoon sessions.
- Possible evening events with potential local host clubs.

Wednesday 3rd September

- Round 4 matches
- Possibly two night matches at Cobden FC (approx 35 minute drive from Warrnambool)

All ground transport to and from accommodation, competition facilities and functions will be covered by Warrnambool City Council.

MELBOURNE

Thursday 4th September

- Return to Melbourne
- Official Dinner at Palladium at Crown

Friday 5th and Saturday 6th September

- Finals at Royal Park North

IC08 Grand Final

According to the AFL, "The expectation is that the Grand Final will be played as a curtain raiser at the MCG on Friday 5th or Saturday 6th (September). The difficulty for planning is that even if we have the MCG confirmed, the AFL Finals are not confirmed (date, time, venue) until Sunday 31st August. Not ideal but we cannot pass up an opportunity to play at the MCG if it comes our way".