World Footy News

I recall the 1981 VFL season so well. After six rounds, Essendon sat with a solitary win and faced the prospect of a lean year. Things changed, however, and they won their next 15 matches in succession to reach the finals. It was certainly strong evidence that much can change as a season progresses, and a positive attitude can turn things around.

However, after six rounds, certain patterns can be seen which give an indication of what is to come and the Northern Territory Football League is at that stage now. One third of the season played and already there are some strong themes emerging. Following is a brief on each of the Premier League sides so far this season in current ladder position which can be mulled over at leisure.

Jason Lassey of Bigfooty Media interviews AFL Asia's President Phil Johns.

Always on the lookout for news on potential new teams or destinations playing Australian Rules football, I stumbled across the article below about our home grown game being played in Nepal at the base of Mt Everest.

There are many photos of people brandishing their scarves in club colours at one of the base camps or locations prior to their ascent. There is even the occasional photo of someone kicking a ball with the mountain as a backdrop. But this article was different. It looked at the very embryonic beginnings of something that one day may grow. 

Jason Lassey of Bigfooty Media interviews Finland AFL's President Janne Hokkonen.

Carlton will list it's second Irish International rookie this year during the upcoming draft period with Ciaran Sheehan signed to join the club after Ciaran Byrne also signed up in August. Most readers here may remember Sheehan from the dominant Irish team that defeated the Australians in the recent International Rules series in Ireland.

Those with a longer memory will also recall the 18 year old Cork youngster coming to Carlton for a trial in 2009 before knocking back a rookie list spot and remaining in Ireland. 

The 31st October 2013 marked a historic day for the Australian Rules Football Association of India (ARFAI). A successful bid for the Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP) grant resulted in the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the AFL Headquarters signing an agreement to pass the grant in favour of ARFAI. The grant will help the ARFAI develop Aussie Rules Football in India with help from partner organisation Magic Bus - India.

The launch of the agreement was hosted at the Australian High Commission in Delhi. The grant was passed to assist focused development of Footy in the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. ARFAI in this period will be working in close quarters with Magic Bus, India which is an international sport NGO helping unprivileged children using sports as a medium to relay social messages. Apart from the social programmes, ARFAI will also engage in educational programmes in other states as well through the India chapter of Global Community Sports (GSC) which is a company conducting educational and global cultural exchange programmes using Footy as the medium.

Jason Lassey of Bigfooty Media interviews Japan's national team coach Brett Snowdon.

The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS today announced the appointment of former Australian Test cricketer Simon Katich as Player Development Coordinator.

Katich will deliver a range of programs and initiatives to provide on and off field leadership and mentoring to the club’s leadership and playing group.

As Player Development Coordinator he will work closely with Head Coach Leon Cameron, General Manager Football Graeme Allan and Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy Coach Mark McVeigh.

Jason Lassey of Bigfooty Media interviews AFL Canada's Bruce Parker about the how the game is played in Canada.

In signs of footy in Europe taking the next step beyond its more casual beginnings, four locals have recently gained their Level 1 Umpiring Accreditation.

Shane Hill, AFL Europe Umpire Co-ordinator assessed the umpires over three separate matches and gave the umpires the tick of approval. Ian Kafka (England), John Enright (Ireland), Josh Davey (Wales) and Nilss Lode (Germany) all have vastly different journeys to umpiring and earning their accreditation.

John Enright and Josh Davey's names will be familiar to many readers in their playing capacity, with Enright having represented Ireland and Davey playing for Wales and the Great Britain Bulldogs. Ian Kafka is the current Universities Coordinator for AFL England and is presently in full time eductation. He has been instrumental in growing the game at university level with the UK. Nilss Lode from the Munich Kangaroos this year umpired matches at the both the Euro Cup in Bordeaux and European Championships in Dublin, being awarded the Golden Whistle in Bordeaux.

For more, read European Umps Gain Level 1 Accreditation.

AFL PNG has been a top two finish in each of the 4 AFL International Cup tournaments to date and will look in 2014 to repeat their success of 2008 when they took out the big one at the MCG.

The following is a media release from AFL PNG announcing their initial IC14 squad.

AFL PNG has named an initial 42 man squad for the 2014 International Cup to be held in Melbourne in August next year. These selections have been based on performances by the emerging Mosquitoes in Lae in September, BSP Cup form, Australian form and past national performances. Injuries have also been considered.

The squad can and will be added to and deleted at any time.