World Footy News

AFL agent Ricky Nixon is planning to further his interest in the Irish market by establishing coaching clinics in Irish primary schools. His exploits are currently being told in a three part documentary on Irish television called ‘The Oz factor’.

Nixon who has previously been very unpopular amongst the Gaelic Athletic Association establishment has claimed that “This will probably put the fear of God into GAA people but we’re starting to look at potential talent at a younger age. And if the door was shut in my face in Ireland in the past I expect it will be slammed in my face now.”

Four schools, whom Nixon has declined to name, have agreed to the programme which begins when the new school term gets underway in September. Nixon is aware of potential criticism but remains unrepentant. “People will overreact to these clinics and will insinuate that I’m only here to fleece your country of its young talent, but the reality is that I’ll be lucky to get one layer from this initiative. I’m doing it to drum up more interest in the AFL in Ireland and get more kids au fait with the skills of our game from an early age.” says Nixon. “An Irish guy actually came to me with the proposal and he’s got clearance from the schools involved. We’re starting off with four clinics and the schools are more than happy to go along with it.”

In the past the main issues Irish players have had in acclimatising to the Australian game is with their kicking technique of the oval ball, a point Nixon acknowledges. “Martin Clarke had a flyer of a start to his career here but he’s starting to struggle with his kicking game now, he’s slow in getting the ball to his foot and opposing teams have copped on to that and are targeting him. These clinics would help Irish kids develop an early natural rhythm with the oval ball.”

There is a fear in GAA quarters that the lure of a professional contract will prove too strong for young players and this will result in a drain of talent away from Ireland. Despite some recent successes there are still only a handful of Irish players with AFL clubs. Setanta O’hAilpin has enjoyed good form in recent games but other players have suffered disappointments this year. Martin Clarke has been dropped of late for Collingwod while Colm Begley has yet to make his debut for unbeaten St. Kilda having been drafted from The Brisbane Lions. Essendon’s Michael Quinn had an excellent debut in round 2 this year but has only played one match since. This follows two departures at the end of last year, Tadhg Kennelly turning his back on the sport to return to his native Kerry and Aisake O’hAilpin being let go by Carlton. However Nixon has claimed he believes up to 5 players will be signed up by AFL clubs before the end of the year.

Ricky Nixon remains extremely ambitious in his future plans revealing that he hopes to see an Irish team take part in the AFL. A new club is being formed for next season in the Gold Coast but 2012 will see another club forming probably in the Sydney Western Suburbs and Nixon sees no reason why an Irish-themed club could not get this licence. “It’s still a runner. Irish business people have expressed an interest in backing the project,” says Nixon. “You would first need a list of about 50 players. I’d be looking at getting the best 20 out of Ireland and making the rest up with first blood Irish who were born and raised in Australia. In an ideal world the GAA would come on board and run the franchise, control the whole thing and market its own brand internationally but I know that will never happen.”