World Footy News

In signs that the mainstream media are beginning to see the potential for the Australian game internationally, Melbourne's the Age recently published two articles highlighting the potential for Pacific athletes to become AFL talent, but also the shortage of funding to make that happen.

Helping stoke the media's interest is North Melbourne's Aaron Edwards, of Samoan heritage, and the likely number one draft pick, Perth's Nicholas Natanui, of Fijian origin.

One article mentions the investment in South Africa, through direct AFL funding and leveraging other resources, and the AFL's Kevin Sheehan again emphasises the potential there. But the writer, Rod Curtis, hones in on the Pacific, and features interviews with AFL Samoa's Michael Roberts and AFLPNG's Scott Reid, calling for greater funding to Pacific nations where major returns are soon set to be realised.

The articles include Tough love, Samoa dives into football and Pacific nations bemoan AFL neglect. Roberts emphasised that he hadn't sought out the media to complain (we can confirm he's been keen not to publicly raise issues, hoping AFL support will be forthcoming), but is very passionate about the sport and particularly worries with the possible loss of VIDA / AusAID support.

The good news is that the AFL recently appointed a full time Development Manager for Oceania, Andrew Cadzow, and his first brief is to effectively do a stocktake of the region to determine what resources are needed where. The crucial part of this equation will be what happens next - will the AFL and AFL clubs roll out more support to ensure Australia's neighbours become genuine recruiting grounds? Certainly if the Australian media get on board and help lead public opinion that regional development is a good thing, rather than bemoan Aussie dollars being spent overseas, then the AFL will probably find making positive decisions easier. The next 12 months will be crucial for footy in Oceania.

The plight of footy in Nauru, where Australian Football is considered a national sport, also received wider exposure when it was recently aired on Al Jazeera network, though their participation in the International Cup and some possible further support are encouraging signs (see Doubt cast aside - Nauru to field full team at IC).

Additional reporting by Sean Finlayson.