World Footy News

The AFL released the 2014 International Cup fixture today, less than forty days before the tournament kicks off.  The 2014 International Cup will be played in Melbourne from August 9 to 23. There will be 18 men’s and seven women’s teams competing.

 

Men’s teams: Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Great Britain, India, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Sweden, Tonga, USA.

 

New teams for IC14: Indonesia and Pakistan.

 

Returning after missing IC11: Finland.

 

Women’s teams: Canada – Northern Lights, Canada – Midnight Suns, Ireland, Fiji, Tonga, USA – Freedom, USA – Liberty.

  

 

The majority of matches will be played at Royal Park in Parkville and for the first time a community round will be played as curtain-raisers to suburban, amateur and country matches.

 

The women’s grand final will be played at Punt Road Oval and the men’s grand final will be the curtain-raiser to the Round 22 AFL match between Hawthorn and the Geelong Cats at the MCG.

 

The men’s fixture is divided into three pools. Each team will play three pool matches and will then be ranked from one to 18. Teams will then be split into three groups for finals; top four, Division One and Division Two.

 

2014 International Cup fixture **

 

Saturday Aug 9           Official Launch – Federation Square

 

Parade of Nations – MCG

 

Sunday Aug 10           Round One matches – Royal Park

 

Wednesday Aug 13    Round Two matches – Royal Park

 

Saturday Aug 16         Round Three matches – Community Round

 

Tuesday Aug 19          Round Finals & Division matches – Royal Park

 

Friday Aug 22             Third place play off & Division matches – Royal Park

 

Saturday Aug 23         Women’s Grand Final – Punt Road Oval, Richmond

 

                                       Men’s Grand Final – MCG

 

The full fixture can be viewed at www.aflic14.com.au

 

** Fixtures are subject change.

 

The women’s draw will be released at a later date.

 

AFL Head of Development Grant Williams said the International Cup celebrates the passion those outside of Australia have for the game.

 

“There are 100,000 international participants throughout the world who share our love of Australian football,” he said.

 

“IC14 will bring together the best 900 players from 18 countries. I look forward to the colour and excitement that the carnival will bring.”

 

The IC14 twitter and Instagram accounts were also launched today. Follow IC14 on @AFLIC14 and AFLIC14

 

Expatriate Australians are ineligible to play in the International Cup. Teams are comprised solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent.  All players must have lived the majority of the years aged between 10 and 16 as a citizen of their nation.

 

The International Cup is played every three years. Previous International Cup winners are; Ireland (2002 & 2011), New Zealand (2005) and Papua New Guinea (2008).