Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

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Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Monday, December 03 2007 @ 09:18 am ACDT

The talent camp is interesting, one wonders what the plans may include pushing forward. Would there be annual talent camps also in North America, Europe, Britain etc. I would assume that each market needs some proper sense of a potential pathway - such that keen kids can set themselves within a frame work that ensures that if they warrant it - then they will be noticed, rather than by accident.

On that front too, I often wonder how long the International Cup in Australia will be the 'primary' international 'cup'. Given the distances involved, and that it may not always be the best on merit players coming, but rather those that can affored the time/money to come. Potentially a Nth Hemisphere or fully fledged European or trans Atlantic Cup in years to come might be - by virtue of the standard - become the 'primary' international 'expression' of our game. At least in this sporting world, Melbourne and the MCG will always be the 'Mecca'.

As a developmental process, any chance of 'continental' teams bringing the best together? At present I'd love to see Nth America vs Britain vs Continental Europe as an example.

Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

Authored by: Aaron Richard
on Monday, December 03 2007 @ 09:37 am ACDT

I don't think it's particularly likely that any other cup would become "the"
international cup, simply because the strongest sides (eg PNG, NZ, USA) will
still be at this one.

It's possible the the IC could move overseas, but I don't think it's likely, as if
the AFL are going to put up the money to run it, they'll want to keep it where
it's most practical from their point of view (and if it was anywhere else, you
wouldn't get the chance as an overseas footballer to kick a goal on the MCG).

By the same token though, if it was held in Europe for example, you'd get a
few more teams (for division 2 at least) such as Austria and Germany who
can put 22 locals on the paddock but who wouldn't have the resources to
get them to Australia.

The Asia/Pacific sides might not be there though.

Ultimately, as long as the game's at an amateur level, it doesn't matter where
you hold it, you're going to have problems where sometimes the teams that
are there are determined by who has the money to get across.

Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Monday, December 03 2007 @ 11:38 am ACDT

Certainly, the IC in Melbourne hopefully must always be retained - and it is the spiritual home.
However, as far as being a 'showcase' of the best of International footy rather than a display of the diversity - I would think that for a period of 'evolution' of the game internationally that 'intra-continental' championships would probably become the highest standard that players get to experience (relative to BOTH their own team makeup and the opposition) [especially those not directly tied into an AFL development pathway such as PNG, NZ & Sth Af]- until especially such time that general quality of depth increases and/or various nations secure solid lines of revenue and sponsorship that can ensure the 'best' team is presented. Unless the AFL were to get the Govt onside to prehaps 'underwrite' each nation to perhaps a certain point, perhaps to ensure that the 10 best players on merit MUST on the plane.

Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Monday, December 03 2007 @ 12:33 pm ACDT

Personally, and we're all doing our best to change this, I think you'll still find that most Melbourne footy fans snub this event. The Melbourne-based rounds last time had only 200 people tops turn up. It worries me that the Melbourne matches are scheduled for weekdays, and having the first two rounds on weekdays at what I understand to be a fairly open amateur level oval is not conducive to crowds turning up. If a lot of matches have to be weekdays, and by nature of the event they do, I would really like to see a feature match held at night, when most workers and families can attend. The event will always look a little sad when played to empty ovals. And the improving skill level and unquestionable passion, along with the colour and culture, means these matches certainly deserve a good showing.

My point in all that is that if Melbourne doesn't turn it on for the third Cup, then surely it will be time to give another city the chance. In many respects, and I've discussed and argued this point for a few years, Melbourne is the worst place to hold the tournament. Many other capital cities are smaller (and have less AFL sides) so its easier to grab attention, and the people seem to be more open minded and curious about international footy. If developed with the local city council, a city like Perth, Adelaide, Darwin or Hobart would embrace the concept much more greatly. Think the Wangaratta experience but on a much greater scale. And organisers could charge a modest entry fee to matches, helping offsetting the costs of travel. As has been discussed before, a small entry fee of say $5, children free, actually adds to the credibility of the event.

Anyway, that's something for 2012. In the meantime, I hope Melbournites prove me very wrong.

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

Talent camp as AFL stars and clubs head for Africa

Authored by: Aaron Richard
on Monday, December 03 2007 @ 12:59 pm ACDT

I agree that you'd probably get better crowds elsewhere in Australia, I hear
Darwin got much better crowds to Arafura Games footy than the IC ever has in
Melbourne.

And it should be noted that Wangaratta got way better crowds than Melbourne
did last year.

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

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