World Footy News

A Richmond Football Club delegate, Craig Cameron was in Samoa last week searching for potential Samoan 'international rookies' and it made news headlines in the small Pacific nation. Cameron also made an appearance on a high-rating sports television program, Sports Centre and was interviewed for an article which received colour, back page coverage in Sunday's Newsline newspaper.

Cameron revealed he was on the lookout for "people who are enthusiastic about AFL" and to "find some guys that have the athleticism who could go and play Australian Rules" and see "if there is a possibility of developing the game (in Samoa)." The Tigers' Strategy and List Manager also watched an AFL Samoa practice session at Leulumoega.

According to Michael Roberts, AFL Samoa's National Game Development Manager, "Samoan media is finally warming to Australian football which is great. The support of local radio presenter Ben Talogota from Polynesian Radio is great, along with his weekly review with Rohan Connelly."

One reader of the Samoan newspaper confirmed the positive effect that a non-Australian playing in the AFL can have for that particular country, admitting that they were "raised in Australia" but "still do not understand the concept of AFL" yet would "try to understand it and back our boys if they ever get into the game of AFL. I think Samoans should get into playing this game, it could only take us further."

Roberts was very pleased to have a "visit from such a professional club who was interested not only in the talent and programs but in the future welfare and adaptation to western life for these young players." Cameron had expressed interest in understanding the 'Faa Samoa', a set of Samoan cultural rules to live and treat others by, in order to benefit potential recruits.

WFN can reveal that other AFL clubs have since expressed interest in talent identification in Samoa.