Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Welcome to World Footy News Monday, July 06 2026 @ 06:24 am ACST

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp | 5 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Comments are closed and no new posts are allowed.

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Thursday, January 14 2016 @ 11:04 am ACDT

Wonder whether there is any contact with footy clubs, leagues and/or USAFL by this AFL Academy group whilst in Florida, and what form any contact takes, eg. practice match, combined training sessions, schools clinics etc.
And I guess the other question that comes to mind is, if not, why not?

Nothing mentioned in the AFL website article about linking up with "US footy", although it does state that the players will be training alongside NFL (American Football/Gridiron) players.

Is this another example of promoting AFL (Aussie Rules) in America by the AFL(world ruling body) going down the gurgler?

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Thursday, January 14 2016 @ 11:47 am ACDT

My sentiments exactly Cam.It would be a great opportunity at zero cost.
Even if they had an open day watching players train and meeting them afterwards to ask a few questions.etc.
it'd mean a lot to a local club/league and possibly a media opportunity to promote their club.

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Authored by: Troy Thompson
on Thursday, January 14 2016 @ 02:43 pm ACDT

Have it on pretty good authority that the USAFL is not involved in this trip. Past trips by the same age group to South Africa and Europe have seen massively one sided results against local rep teams and I guess it was determined there was little value to this crop of players who are mostly likely to be drafted later this year in that type of contest (or the local team).

There have been other opportunities in the US for players in the past to have contact with AFL players during club preseason trips and also during visits by AFL players to the US Nationals. In addition the USAFL are involved in the AFL's US Combine that has been held the last few years and likely will be held again in 2016 where they have valuable contact with the AFL's development staff such as Kevin Sheehan, Mick Ablett and Tadhg Kennelly.

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Friday, January 15 2016 @ 03:19 pm ACDT

Promotional value and "mindset" (detest that term)!!!!! but I believe that the AFL just hasn't been able to even begin to think and behave like the AFL (world ruling body) that it claims to be when it comes to promoting AFL (Aussie Footy/Australian Rules Football) as played outside Australia.

As you say Troy there is little value to the academy players on a trip like this in playing matches against locals. But that is not the point, the guys are already in USA and the promotional value for Aussie Rules in the States is not even considered when at virtually no extra cost a "practice" match with as many locals that they can round up, and/or an afternoon skills session in a couple of high schools close to this IMG place could do wonders for the game in that region.

Even just two or three locals (especially youngsters) enticed to take up the game is of immense value to the local clubs and leagues.

You mention other opportunities such as preseason trips and visits by players to the US Nationals and combines (all good) but this is another opportunity lost because of the AFL's collective mindset. Unfortunately the focus is solely on the AFL (the league) and AFL (the Code) internationally is not even considered.

If we could only entice the AFL development section to rename itself and convince it to become a truly "International Development" first and a "develop players in Aussie" section second. OH! what a far off dream that is! :-((

JUst like to remind you that although the Easter Series matches held in Europe were "massively one sided results" the actual score differences reduced substantually each year and obviously suggests that the matches were of immense value to European footy. (Unless you subscribe to the idea that the Aussie players standards were falling) :-)

Promotional value versus AFL (the organistaion) mindset!!!!!ωωωω

AFL (the organisation)Gillon and Co) does not equal AFL (world ruling body).

Irish Talent Heads To Florida For AFL Academy Training Camp

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Saturday, January 16 2016 @ 07:24 pm ACDT

What Cam and i are saying is that a lot more thought has to be given to promotion surrounding an event. An AFL team just doesn't arrive and play an away game any more. There is a build-up with open training sessions for fans to meet players and media interviews with players and coaches. Likewise any AFL event overseas should make some attempt to engage with the local community and especially the local football community. This can be in any appropriate form. Open training, dropping in on local club etc. This costs nothing but time and effort. If it is deemed possible to play some football then all the better. On that subject, I believe it is possible to come up with some informal mercy rule . If it's all over by half time, then it's time to modify things. .

RSS news	RSS events
Twitter	Facebook

World Footy News

Search

Translate

User Functions

Events

Featured Sites

Older Stories

Friday 11-Apr

Sunday 30-Mar

Thursday 27-Mar

Friday 21-Mar

Thursday 06-Mar

Wednesday 05-Feb

Tuesday 04-Feb

Socials

Who's Online

Random Image

What's New

Articles last 2 weeks

Comments last 2 weeks

Links last 2 weeks

Advertisements