World Footy News

A packed house of players, officials, volunteers and dignitaries filled The Tanks Arts Centre tonight to usher in the official welcome of the National Diversity Championships in Cairns. On a humid but pleasant night the assembled audience were treated to entertainment, formal welcomes and player interviews as a prelude to the real action on the football field over the next five days.

The evening commenced to the resonating power of the didgeridoo and dance from the Wuba Indigenous performing troupe before Rick Hanlon, AFL Cape York Programs Director and Master of Ceremonies for the night, acknowledged the traditional owners of the land on which we were meeting before introducing State Treasurer and member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, and Marc Harbrow, brother of Gold Coast Suns star Jarrod Harbrow, who gave the traditional welcome on behalf of his people.

The idea of an AFL premiership match being played in Singapore is a long, long way from being a reality, but news from the www.afl.com website suggests that the Brisbane Lions are looking at the option.

 

According to the AFL’s website, “THE BRISBANE Lions' financial woes and restrictive deal with their home stadium, the Gabba, have driven the club to pursue options for a home and away match overseas.

 

Lions officials have started investigating a viable international option which has taken their focus to the Singapore National Stadium.

 

 

The stadium, opened last year, has a capacity of 55,000 and has hosted soccer giants such as Juventus. It has the dimensions to extend to host an AFL match.

It starts today. My new role as an AFL Multicultural Community Ambassador for 2015 kicks off with the opening ceremony and function here in Cairns to kick of the AFL Diversity Cup. Bought forward a little as my induction is not until next week, but footy won’t wait. Being a resident of Cairns I am front and centre for this carnival, living five minutes from Cazalys Stadium, it makes sense to start today.

The five days of gladiatorial combat between the state Kickstart indigenous teams will be a brilliant showcase of future talent. The best talent on show will make their way into the Flying Boomerangs national indigenous team or the World Team programs. To be present helping the AFL with various media roles will be an honour and a great way to start twelve months as an ambassador and try to initiate ideas, projects and programs which may assist the multicultural growth of the game here in Far North Queensland and maybe beyond.

 

AFL Round 2 kicks off tonight in Perth with West Coast Eagles hosting Carlton.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

The tropical North Queensland city of Cairns will play host to this year’s Kickstart Championships and All Nations Cup this weekend, which together comprise the AFL Diversity Cup. Last year’s event was held in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The North Queensland city of Townsville held the event in 2013.

The event presents the opportunity for Cairns to further establish its credentials as a regional venue for high calibre AFL events, following on from hosting AFL Premierships matches and other key national events such as the Women’s Championships in 2013.

According to the press release from AFL Queensland:

“AFL Cairns will host the 2015 Kickstart Championships and All Nations Cup (AFL Diversity Cup) at Cazalys Stadium from Friday 10th to Wednesday 15th April. The U15 Kickstart Championships is in its 5th year and the structure has been developed to provide a supported, talented player pathway that compliments the National U16 Championships. It aims to expose indigenous and multicultural players, coaches and umpires to an elite AFL program environment.”

Back when Michael Gallus, director and founder of the Footys4all Foundation, first linked with the Pyramid Power junior football club in Gordonvale, Queensland, he saw and fell in love with Walsh’s Pyramid, the mountain that towers over the small sugar town.

He always stated that one day it was his wish to “have a kick of a footy” at Power Park in Gordonvale, home ground of the Power, and a ground with one of the most picturesque backdrops anywhere in Australia. Last week, Michael got his wish.

As part of his latest Footys4all sojourn to distribute sporting balls to less privileged kids across the country, Michael and his crew of fellow volunteers made their way to Cairns and linked up with the people of the Pyramid Power club to travel the region and visit a number of schools.

The following is an extract from an excellent article by Justin Robertson in the Toronto Star, the largest daily newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It looks closely, and proudly, at the success of Sydney Swans ruckman, Mike Pyke, but also paints a good picture of the game of Australian Rules football in the Canadian sporting landscape.  

 

Australians can spend 20 years trying to win a premiership. Pyke won a flag three years into his AFL career.

 

Ask a rookie viewer of Australian Rules Football to describe the sport, and they might say utter chaos — and, also, a bit like rugby. Ask Canada’s Mike Pyke to describe it, and he’d say it’s one hell of a job.

In an announcement from AFL Europe, the Croatian city of Umag will host the 2015 Axios Euro Cup in an enormous coup for the rapidly growing Australian Rules football nation.

According to the AFL Europe website, “It’s with great enthusiasm that AFL Europe, with the help of the Croatian Australian Football League (SANH), is thrilled to announce the location for 2015 Axios Euro Cup is the beautiful town of Umag.”

“The Axios Euro Cup is being held on the 10th October 2015 in Umag, which is located in Istra, the coastal region of Croatia. Taking place in the resort that also plays host to the annual ATP Croatia Tournament, the Cup promises a well organised, cheap and warm weekend. With special Euro Cup accommodation and being accessible from three airports under an hour and a half drive and the alternate option of hiring a car and driving from Italy or Slovenia, the 2015 Axios Euro Cup will be affordable for all.”

The AFL today confirmed the present broadcast coverage for the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season into New Zealand.

As a long standing international partner of the AFL, Sky NZ will again broadcast AFL matches in 2015. Sky NZ coverage will include: One match per week (delayed), Anzac Day matches LIVE from Westpac Stadium and the MCG, one delayed match each week of Finals Weeks 1-3, and the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final LIVE. Sky NZ will also broadcast the AFL Weekly Highlights Program.

AFL General Manager Broadcasting, Scheduling & Major Projects, Simon Lethlean said the AFL and AFL New Zealand continue to investigate supplementary broadcast solutions in the New Zealand market following the closure of the Sommet Sports channel.

 

AFL footy is officially back in Melbourne on Thursday night.  The season opener is Richmond vs Carlton at the MCG.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au.

The broadcast schedule can be seen below.

 

 

 

The following press release from the AFLNT details the upcoming opportunities for remote Territorian youth at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre. As detailed in a previous article – Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre Opens in Darwin – the centre aims to provide opportunities and pathways for remote players to develop, and this chance for a remote player contract with the NT Thunder presents something potentially life changing for recipients.

 

Press Release: NAAFVLS All-Stars Welcomed To MLLLC

 

 

The NAAFVLS Remote All-Stars have commenced their one week education and training themed camp at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre.