Push on to keep IC numbers up

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Push on to keep IC numbers up

Authored by: Julian Clark
on Tuesday, April 15 2008 @ 10:27 am ACST

My prediction is that the Spain Bulls will not quite make it to Melbourne, and that Catalonia will also not quite make it to Melbourne.

We have a scenario here which answers an open question from my comments to the "CEAFL comes to Zagreb" article. This is why you need to stick with national teams.

This has been my theory all along, and has been proven time & time again... case in point: China not making it to the 2006 Asian Champs.

Even if Catalonia and/or Spain did get to Melbourne it would be at reduced strength and more difficult to get numbers and other required resources etc. It would be a larger drain on the respective organisations to try and bounce back from.

If Catalonia can get special funding, lucky for them - but that shouldn't compromise the ideals. If we want to reduce cost, why not hire a boat and a bus, and just get 16 teams from PNG ???

... and if it is about self-funding, what happens in a few years when US Footy can send several self funded teams ??? do we lose focus on RSA ???

... and how can the AFL justify "working to secure Spain" possibly resulting in 2 teams from one country when the only obstacle in Finland's way is financial (they have the numbers, the drive & enthusiasm, as well as the structure on the ground to capture maximum benefit & growth from attendance).. how can there be focus on one country sending 2 teams instead of helping some countries to get there in the first place ???

I disagree with you Mark on the criteria for being able to compete. The promise of a national test cap and a run at the IC is a major driver in growth for a lot of nations.

Build it and they will come.

Push on to keep IC numbers up

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Thursday, April 17 2008 @ 10:41 am ACST

I can see a reasonable argument for allowing both Spain and Catalonia if they are not able to work together. Obviously it's not the same as having multiple USA or PNG teams - this is an historic issue that goes back to the identity and independence of various regions of Spain. We're certainly not going to "choose sides" of the argument on that issue here. But the AFL can't expect to solve much bigger political issues that go beyond football.

I do agree that two teams from one country should not get extra attention above any other country, such as Finland, but I don't think the AFL are particularly doing that. Don't read too much into "working to secure". Having said all that, I agree the odds are against either Spain or Catalonia making it.

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

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