VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

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VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Sean Finlayson
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 07:38 am ACDT

Personally I think this is a fantastic idea and shows that the AFL are starting to think outside the square.

At this early stage of development, the people who should be most excited about the IC would be amateur players in Australia.

Professional sport fans just won't get it until it is played at a reasonable standard.

There is also something to be said for the players seeing just how deep footy goes in Australia. If they aren't up to AFL level, there is still a chance that they could still make it at one of the lower tiers of footy.

The VAFA is absolutely replete with players of multicultural backgrounds. It would be a huge buzz for some of these players to know that footy is being played where their origins are. The Elgar Park Dragons were to play host to a Vietnamese or Chinese side for example.

Besides, if you market the IC to the VAFA, you have literally thousands of amateur players to promote it to and once players at that level see the potential of the game overseas, they may well become involved themselves in initiatives such as the Convicts, playing or getting involved overseas.

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 08:30 am ACDT

I'm certainly hoping that even if my club doesn't have the opportunity to host a team, that we can at least encourage a couple of guys to Melb perhaps a month out to train and perhaps play. The AFL clubs certainly can't, especially in late August, be expected to divert too many resources down this path.

Hopefully, clubs getting more involved at this level have a local 'marketing' opportunity - via local press and potential sponsorship. And perhaps an extra leg up to approach councils for support given the 'international' dimension. Surely VAFA host clubs might be able to attract some ex-AFL stars along to the odd function, will the AFL have 'roving ambassadors'?? The VAFA host clubs might even be able to form 'cheer squads' and ensure that competing teams national flags are seen a little more.

Certianly as well, the up shot is to encourage greater awareness of the volunteer efforts overseas in growing the game - rather than people assuming the AFL are 'wasting' money overseas when they could be propping up Melbourne clubs. (I will declare that I AM a long time Roos member).

After all, Melbourne is only the spiritual centre of one sporting universe.

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 03:14 pm ACDT

Regarding what Dingo said about Collingwood, yeah I had heard that before. Hopefully with Marty Clarke there now they might be a bit more aware of opportunities and just generally more involved. Or failing that, Carlton now have 3 Irish players at the club, so you'd have to think they might be interested.

Importantly it's nice to see these issues being discussed 10 months out, rather than a last minute scramble.

---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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