Footy\'s international future - what next and how?

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Footy\'s international future - what next and how?

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Sunday, October 28 2012 @ 12:09 am ACDT

There is only certainly in the future of football - it's unpredictable but there are likely scenarios.
More players from overseas will play AFL. through either talent (combines) identification or through their leagues.
Any elite level competition development will probably be similar to Super Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere drawing on NZ, PNG, RSA or the Pacific isalands . This depends a lot on the availability of assistance, either directly from the AFL or indirectly in the form of government aid.

The establishment of a semi-pro or pro-league outside of Australia in the Northern Hemisphere usually draws comparisons with the NFL.
IMO the AFL doesn't have the resources to approach Europe in the same glitzy manner as the NFL.- basically a top down approach but Australian Football has the advantage of a bottom up approach - 9-a-side games that require a minimum of fuss. IMO the Euro Cup will steadily grow in importance. The required catylist is junior programs especially introducing Auskick style programs into schools. In this regard Canada is best placed to actually produce a semi-pro league with juniors, seniors, women and media attention.

Footy\\\'s international future - what next and how?

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Sunday, October 28 2012 @ 05:52 am ACDT

I used to fear that top down money driven US style culture would swallow all before it. Thankfully it hasn't happened.

We've seen that unlike the predictions of a world wide neighbourhood via TV - that the internet and social media has begun delivering where tv couldn't. We've seen Aust Footy grow at a grass roots bottom up level. We've seen sufficient stories of people who came across the game whilst backpacking, or studying or whatever in Australia and returned home to whereever and now - could find a club or even start a club.

It's unlikely that the 'novelty' will wear off too soon given that the only professional outposts are in Australia. Compare to even Rugby League which as Northern Hemisphere and South Hemisphere professional outposts - - it should be easier for them. They can also often get a team together where Rugby Union already exists - - but, is RL really needed? is it distinct enough from RU or American/Canadian football??

On one end of the 'football spectrum' is soccer, the other the Rugby codes and Gridiron. Perhaps just perhaps there IS a niche in the middle that Aust Footy can slot in with a meaningful role.

If so - then internationally - there's scope to grow. However - what are the targets? Are we looking at in the next 50 years that we might have a 2 division AFL with conferences with perhaps a club at least partially based in RSA, in PNG, in NZ? Are we hoping to have at least semi-pro footy based in UK/Europe? NthAmerica? Could we see a PNG side in the NEAFL?

The biggest thing I see is that the AFL themselves have bought into all this. They seemed for some time to be a little resistant - almost embarrassed. Right now - the global foundations that are in place would've cost many millions to try to set out and set up as a business plan. So - that's good. Going forward though - how well can 'Australias game' sell to it's stakeholders (including the AFLPA, clubs, fans) so as to properly fund taking some-where to the next level. And that's were value for money has always been a concern.

Revenue streams are important - obviously - and moving forward the questions around 'new media' and the like - well, the AFL via AFL-media, and assuming ownership of Docklands stadium (inc management) should give the AFL greater control and perhaps certainty.

For AFL though - Australia is a tough 'home base'. It's the worlds most competitive 'football' market and perhaps there's something to be said that expansion to foreign nations couldn't be any tougher than Sydney!! The clear examples of 130-150 years of history is that code wars is a permanent fixture in Australia and that migration ensures that Aust Footy always has a task in selling itself to 'new' Australians. Over and over again. So - even to stand still requires moving forward. For now though - you'd rather be in the AFL corner than the ARU - but, back in 2003 with the RUWC in Australia you'd've predicted 10 years down the track a somewhat different state now than what has eventuated.

Perhaps the key for the AFL is to keep A.Demetriou in the top job until he turns 80! (based on F.Lowy at the FFA then anything can happen).

Footy\'s international future - what next and how?

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Sunday, October 28 2012 @ 06:03 am ACDT

Now there's a controversial call if I've ever seen one: "keep A.Demetriou in the top job until he turns 80".

I'm having trouble focussing on 2058 and beyond... I just want to know how badly my Adelaide Crows are about to be penalised for the Tippett affair.

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

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