World Footy News

The end of the Australian AFL season sometimes brings despair. For thee seasoned footy fan their run from February to October is finished as their beloved team is done for now. Same goes for local level. Some survive by tuning into the great race at Mount Panorama, the Bathurst 1000 car race. Others struggle through with Spring Racing Carnival, highlighted by the Melbourne Cup, then the cricket season kicks in.

But for some that just isn’t enough.

They want footy. They adore footy. They live and breathe footy. And the solutions are right there if they know where to look. In some cases the new seasons are about to start, competitions which will run through until the next “footy season”. In others, major overseas Aussie Rules tournaments are about to get under way.

 

EUROPE: In Europe this weekend, all eyes will be turned to Lisbon, Portugal. The Euro Cup will be played in the city for the first time, with national teams descending on the city from all over Europe.  In all, 22 teams from 16 countries will be in town to seek the title. Denmark went back to back last year in the men’s draw. With no Denmark this year, all teams will be out to become the new title holder. In the women’s draw, England has the chance to defend its title against fierce competition from Ireland, Scotland, France, Croatia, Denmark and Sweden. See Denmark Goes Back To Back At Euro Cup

ASIA: The following weekend will see the AFL Asia Champs, this year at the RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  In all, 15 nations will be sending teams from all across Asia to contest this event, held on October 14 & 15. The Division 1 teams are Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Jakarta and Malaysia. The Division 2 is divided into two pools featuring teams from Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia (Bali & Garudas), Cambodia, Macau, Japan and China, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam adding second teams to these pools. Last year the Hong Kong Dragons downed the Malaysian Warriors in the final but this year is a new championship. See Hong Kong Dragons Win 6th Asian Champs Title

USA: Whilst there is still a threat of nasty weather with Hurricane Matthew pounding the Florida coast, the weekend of 15 to 16 October will see the 2016 USAFL Nationals held at Sarasota-Bradenton, to the south of Tampa and St Petersburg, Florida. Four mens divisions have already been scheduled, with women’s draws to be announced.  The best teams from across the United States will gather to see which teams, if any, can topple the Austin Crows in the men’s divisions or the Denver Lady Bulldogs in the women’s divisions. See USAFL on hurricane watch as San Diego announced for 2017 and 2015 USAFL Nationals Day 2 - Austin Crows are 2015 USAFL Champions

MIDDLE EAST: Last night in Dubai, the AFL Middle East season got under way with the Pre-Season Cup (story to follow). This year the reigning champions, Dubai Dragons, will be keen to ward off challenges from the Multiplex Bulls, Dubai Dingoes, Abu Dhabi Falcons and Doha Kangaroos.

FRANCE: Next weekend sees the start of the new CNFA competition in France. The new season sees the infant Paris Cockatoos as title holders after winning the flag in their first season. That is sure to fire up the other clubs, including the new team the Blagnac Aviators, joining the league for their inaugural season.

AUSTRALIA: Closer to home, and the new NTFL season kicks of tomorrow night in Darwin. Current title holders, St Mary’s, will be challenged again by last year’s runner up, Wanderers, Southern District, Nightcliff, Palmerston, Tiwi Bombers, Darwin Buffaloes and Waratahs, all determined to bring the Saints down. The new season will run through the summer culminating in their Grand Final in March.

So there is plenty of Australian Rules football coming in the months ahead, all across the world. For more information, keep an eye out on the World Footy News website for updates as we try to bring news from all competitions and tournaments to readers everywhere.