Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

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Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 01:27 pm ACDT

Ciaran O'Hara thinks it would be unfair to put Fiji and Tonga in a 2nd Division, but would it?

Let's assume we get 24 out of the nominated nations, 3 Divisions of eight teams would be ideal. Let's put 2nd thru to 9th World ranking nations in Div 1.

What a hard fought and even competition Division 2 with GB, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Tonga, Fiji(anyone of which could conceivably win the division), China, and Finland or Croatia or Peace Team or France would be. All of those teams would love to be able to take home some Silverware and stake aclaim to be in Div 1. next time round.

The third Division would almost all be first timers at the IC, and what a boost for all of these nations(leagues)at home, to have played their games without receiving a thrashing AND one of them to take home the "International Futures Cup" or some such named cup.

Eight nations in 2 Pools in each division as played in the 2010 European Championships would see each team only have to play four matches in the IC itself.

O'Hara also implies that teams also wish to "experience" playing against one of the "power" teams. This is so for many players I think. I believe that same experience can be achieved in another way which most nations would jump at, and also have other benefits to Footy in general and the IC as well.

There is no reason why the AFL can't arrange a friendly match against a suburban or near-city country club for every national team whilst they are in Australia. There would be scores of NSW and Victorian local clubs who would put up their hands to host such a friendly. Most nations would love to experience playing against an all-Aussie club.

The local clubs could "adopt' the national team they play which just might encourage members and players to go and "root', "barrack" for their adopted country at the IC (more spectators?) and have contact with and consider potential player exchanges. What that would do for International Footy....?

I wasn't much of a footy player but it would have been awesome as a player to have been able to say I played in a friendly against Japan or Switzerland or even South Africa or any of the teams that look like being here for the IC for that matter. What that would do for local footy.......?

What About It AFL????????

What do the International Leagues think about this innovation?????

Hey! not forgetting Div 1. either. The current 2nd-9th ranked nations would also play out a very tough series of matches. %ages deciding who plays the final a distinct possibility.

Cam.

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Aaron Richard
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 02:55 pm ACDT

For what it's worth - I don't think it's neccesary to go through the AFL to do this, surely there are enough of us with connections to suburban footy clubs and to international teams that people could do it directly.

Some of the teams already have such relationships, such as Japan with Box Hill North (VAFA), and to a lesser extent with the Southern Dragons (SFL). Denmark have a bit of a relationship to Thomson in the Geelong District FL via both the Geelong College junior matches and also with some their younger guys coming over to Australia and playing the 2008-09 season (I think it was then) with Thomson.

Canada are also building a bit of a relationship with Hampton (VAFA) with some of their players coming over to play the 2011 in Melbourne in preparation for the IC.

Maybe the best solution is for us to network a bit and see if we as readers and editors of WFN can use our connections to help get some more of these happening.

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 04:02 pm ACDT

Aaron, it may not be necessary for the AFL to do it but it would certainly be better if there was a commitment from the AFL(I'm assuming it runs the IC) to set up such an series of matches. Networks are great but how many of the competing nations (especially the newer ones) have a network in Aussie.

The IC is partly to showcase International Footy and I think something like this will do heaps in that regard in Aussie. Create more awareness and involvement at 'grass roots' level here.

Cost shouldn't be a real consideration because much would be borne by the local clubs that take part( tho if dun rite it could be a bit of a money spinner for them).

Just needs AFL/IC to organise things(eg. when to play the matches, match local club with national team(no point in these teams getting a flogging) coordinate travel etc. Games would be better played early in the piece so finals aren't compromised)

What say ye, International Leagues?

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 04:37 pm ACDT

I'm sure Aaron thinks it would be preferable for the AFL to do all the organising, and we'd encourage them to do so, but on the assumption that it doesn't happen then it's good if we can help in anyway.

If I recall correctly in 2008 the AFL worked with the VAFA to organise host clubs, which worked in some cases but I don't think all that many local clubs around Melbourne jumped out of their skin to help as much as you might expect. Maybe despite a call out from the VAFA the message didn't get out there as loudly as it needed to. Maybe 2011 will be different.

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

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 05:41 pm ACDT

How many actual matches were played between any of the local clubs and the visiting nations in 2008? How many clubs have actually had the proposition put to them? With the knowledge of some assistance if required from tha AFL!

Yep, I agree with Aaron about networks and host clubs and that is where most of the work and effort would come from but if these matches were sanctioned by the AFL and committed to, early enough, there would be a lot more clubs keen to jump on the wagon.

It would be a day that they could promote(with the help/expertise of the AFL) in their locality and with a bit of effort could be a huge event for the town and even a money spinner for the club. All the people involved with the clubs would have to support it but these sorts of events struggle to get off the ground if it isn't seen as something worthwhile by the organising body. If the matches were seen as part of the IC "Festival of Footy" and promoted as such, clubs would have greater confidence to join in with the knowledge that some help/expertise with promotion etc. would be forthcoming from the AFL.

Clubs would not have to be trying to squeeze a game in somewhere but know that this is the day that it will be on(set aside for it).

All the other benefits that I mentioned would be a spin off that would be great for International Footy and Footy in general.

Open to suggestion of better options. Let's hear them so we might be able to see them happen. Let's get those ideas out there!!!!!!!!!!

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

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Aaron Richard
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 07:56 pm ACDT

I don't know if any matches were played between an international side and a local club in 08. If any, there might have been one between Japan and Box Hill North. When Japan tour in non-IC years they've played against BHN, Howlong (near Albury) and the Melbourne Vietnamese community team, among others. But I don't know if they play any matches against local opposition when they're here for the IC.

Ideally it would be great for the AFL to organise that kind of thing, but I don't know if they're likely to, nor whether they'd see it as part of their brief.

If I were in the position of the international sides, rather than approaching the AFL, I'd be looking for clubs that have either hosted international players in the past, or maybe the original clubs of any Melburnians who play in their domestic comp.

There is also the issue of whether the international sides want to put their players under the pressure of further matches when they already have to go through a gruelling IC schedule in a short period of time. Some sides might be happy to do this, but others might not. I'm thinking of a side like Finland, who battled to still have 18 fit men on the park by the end of the IC08.

Or I could be completely wrong on this.

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

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Thursday, February 17 2011 @ 12:34 am ACDT

I gather most teams like to play one practice match leading up to the tournament. Coincidentally I spoke briefly with Fiji's coach tonight, and he mentioned how gruelling 5 matches will be in under 2 weeks of IC play.

The Peace Team played a combined Old Brighton Grammarians and AJAX selection just prior to IC08:

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2008082615263583

And India played China in a warm up match:

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20080826205705777

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

Ireland recruiting Exiles in Oz for IC11

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 02:58 pm ACDT

I can't see a problem with Tonga and Fiji going in Division 2 first time. I think they'll be quite competitive but still very raw. I find it hard to believe they would threaten the top 4 sides unless they can access a bunch of expats in Australia. Give them another 3 years for their talented juniors to come through and sure, they might be a real threat.

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

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