2011 confirmed for next IC, location up for tender

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2011 confirmed for next IC, location up for tender

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Friday, January 16 2009 @ 08:15 am ACDT

I loved the article reference on WFN about Peter Wilson and footy in Japan - -especially the lack of regard for growing the game in Japan by the VFL and the Australian Embassy. Only for Peter Wilson to discover in 1995 at a wedding, that his ruck rover had gone on to important international business position and had opted for grain contracts worth 10s of millions from Australia rather than Canada because he 'liked Australia'.............

During the IC 08, Simon Crean, the Fed minister for trade and a North Melbourne tragic has been quoted as saying that Australian Football is now classified as an Australian Export. Perhaps, everyone is slowly coming around. After all, unlike soccer or rugby - - Australia IS the global Mecca of this sport.

One feels, the AFL has been fairly reluctant to OVER promote the international cup as it would potentially expose them to accusations of delusions of grandeur. It more seems that the international growth is mostly out of their hands - - but that they are obliged to either do nothing or show some support. The IC in Australia with the burden of travel expenses on the competiting nations is cost effective for the AFL. Colin Carter was an advocate - who knows how the individuals on the commission sit on this issue. Does anyone have any ideas?

We'll know more about the broader sentiment should we see AFL begin really spruiking the tournament - this year showed signs of a greater sense of pride - no doubt the improving standard of some countries, the expansion of competing nations and local rather than expat players in those nations - - the AFL might be on the brink of really running with it. Perhaps that requires the first IC 'graduate' to AFL ranks to become the international 'figurehead'.........(Liam Ackland?, Scotty Fleming?.....come on GC17, pick on in your development squad!!). We'll know then how serious the AFL are about showing off the international dimension. However, for now - - as with the NRL issues with losing players to Europe and England to both RL AND RU - - it's not so bad being a single country professional code. If the NSW scholarship scheme (which began slowly but now is going quite nicely) is a sign, within a couple of years, the international scheme might be working more smoothly and perhaps 10 kids a year might be getting listed from 3 or 4 countries of origin.

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