World Footy News

The AFL today announced the Australian multicultural Team of Champions initial squad list of 50 (see table below). To be eligible to be selected the players must either have been born overseas or had at least one parent born overseas.

Jock McHale has already been named coach and Alex Jesaulenko has been named as captain. AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon stressed those selected were based on available information and will accept other nominations should other eligible players come to light.  "The AFL will also ask the WAFL and SANFL to put forward its nominations for players who should be considered for selection.  Many records pre-dating 1930 are incomplete and we will welcome any further nominations from the public who can confirm any player heritage from the early years of our game that we may not have been able to confirm."

 

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By Corey Irwin

There’s a large group of Sharks in Santa Monica, but don’t worry, this breed isn’t vicious – unless you happen to be their opponent on the field.

While the rest of LA either mourned the fortunes of the Lakers or Clippers, or was waiting nervously on the fate of the Kings (they won), a small band of weekend warriors were celebrating the first 2012 sporting triumph for the city on Sunday afternoon.

The AFL continues to put in place opportunities for athletes around the world to be exposed to Aussie Rules and for their abilities to be tested in the style of the new "combines".  This is part of a wider AFL plan to one day see star players emerge from international markets, thus helping promote the game in both those markets and amongst immigrant communities in Australia.

The latest piece in that puzzle is an academy in Guangzhou, China.  Opening on July 9, with a total of 30 athletes to be selected for the two-week program, the AFL will select two players to attend the annual draft combine at Etihad Stadium that follows the AFL Grand Final.

Some recent footage of women's footy in the USA, courtesy of Luke Anderson. Women's Aussie Rules football hit Philadelphia as players from Boston, New York, Montreal, Baltimore and Ontario joined forces to play a 14-a-side match on a full sized field. 

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Long time NEAFL/Queensland State League and Queensland Development Coach David Lake has not taken retirement lightly after finishing a successful 6 year stint coaching Mt Gravatt which included a State League Premiership in 2007. After finishing an encouraging Vultures season with a disappointing 2011 preliminary Final loss to Morningside he has now immersed himself in his expanded South Pacific coaching and mentoring role.

 Please note that these details are correct at the time of publishing. WFN accepts no responsibility for any changes to these times by broadcasters. Please check local guides or afl.com.au. 

Only 6 games this week with byes for Colingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney. 

2012 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12 INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE Thursday 14 June  – Sunday 17 June.

See below for video from the ABC's 7:30 Report featuring David Rodan and Emmanuel Irra.

PNG is undoubtedly a power in Australian football in the South Pacific-Oceania region. And along with the AFL PNG academy; the best juniors from PNG have access to some exciting opportunities to play representative football. In May, the PNG Coca Cola U/16 Binatangs took on the best young players in QLD in Queensland State Championships; but unfortunately the PNG Women were unable to make it to Cairns for 2012 Kooga AFL Queensland Women’s State Championships due to visa issues.

The Malaysian Warriors at the fourth attempt have taken out the Manila Cup with a 22-point Grand Final win over the Singapore Wombats. Grand Final Malaysian Warriors 7-5 (47) d Singapore Wombats 4-1 (25)

Wins over Philippine Eagles, Jakarta Bintangs and the Wombats and a loss to previous Cup nemesis Hong Kong Dragons in the preliminary round robin games were enough to put them thru to the Final with a rematch against the Wombats.

With representative footy a recent hot topic in AFL circles - it's timely for the big Solomon Islands East vs West rep game this Saturday. To be held at the King George VI oval in Honiara.

The following is a press release from the SIAFL:

East versus West: AFL rep game this Saturday at King George VI school oval