World Footy News

Earlier this year this Russian English-language news show introduced Roger Scott and his efforts to kick start footy in Russia.

Results from the 2011 Youth AFL Oceania Cup matches played today at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji.

below - wet weather footy as PNG take on the Tonga All-Stars.

Wellington had a tough Aussie rules season this year, resulting in a season of struggle after struggle. The North City Demons were unable to field a team this season, leaving a three team competition. Round robins were supposed to be played each weekend over 6 weeks before culminating in a December final. Unfortunately the Wellington City Saints Saints defaulted multiple games throughout the season with the Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs also struggling on a couple of weekends.

Throughout the season clubs catered for Demons players wanting a game, as were any available players whose team defaulted. This continued even on Grand Final day, with six players from the Saints and Demons playing in the final.

There are two schools of thought with this from my experience, allow them to play and keep them passionate so that they don’t walk away from the sport and come back to rebuild their Clubs next year, or cut them off from playing and ensure that the teams who do the right thing and turn up with a team aren’t compromised in who takes the field in their jumper. A tricky quandary but I believe Wellington took the right approach here.

During the year there were a number of administrative changes across the league, including new Club Presidents for both the Saints and the Bulldogs. The addition of these new and enthusiastic participants to the League administration hopefully sets a solid foundation for the league moving forward.

In the audio clip below Tony Woods speaks to Radio Australia's Geraldine Coutts about the early stages of the competition and the off field activities.  Funding of the tournament is also discussed although no numbers are detailed.

The AFL today announced the 2012 North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) season fixture has been finalised in the following press release.

Now in its second year, NEAFL is expanding to a 19 team competition with the introduction of the Sydney Hills Eagles and Sydney University to the Eastern Conference. The Northern Conference will remain at ten teams for next season. 

To kick off the year on March 24 will be the highly anticipated curtain-raiser match between the UWS GIANTS and the Sydney Swans in the Eastern Conference. In the Northern Conference, the inaugural NEAFL Grand Finalists NT Thunder and Morningside will officially launch the new season.

The AFL has released the results from the opening round of the 2011 Youth AFL Oceania Cup played today at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji.  Also, the Flying Boomerangs kicked off action today with a match against an Oceania Squad selected after yesterdays Lightening Tournament.  Obviously, the Oceania squad had limited preparation time and the result is far less important than the activity itself.

The first day of the AFL Youth Oceania Cup is underway after Tuesday’s Lightening Carnival. Encouragingly for the AFL and their efforts and those of the many volunteers helping to grow the game in the region – there is solid local coverage of the event.

The AFL website is carrying an excellent 3 minute video casting Tony Woods in the role of interviewer. He speaks to a number of players, and Alisha Thiel who has been helping out with the Vanuatu Volcanoes.

Results of matches played at Albert Park, Suva, Fiji – Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011.

Slippery and damp conditions prevailed, good weather for frogs, and as AFL International Development Manager Tony Woods points out, a good chance for players to get over jet lag and get a touch of the footy.

Today's video shows the Irish team celebrating their new Champions status on the MCG moments after the final siren went to end the 2011 International Cup.

Perennial Grand Finalists in Auckland, the University Blues (who last triumphed in 2009) recently defeated the reigning Premiers Waitakere Magpies in the AAFL Grand Final.

The weather looked for a short while like it was coming right when play first started in the Senior GF. The game started at a fast pace and with no rain and a dry ball, handling and the marking skill were excellent. However, it wasn't to last as 10 minutes into the first quarter the rain started again and the wind picked up and with wet under foot conditions the ball soon became like a bar of soap. At the end of the first quarter Uni, who had first use of the northerly wind, lead narrowly 3.4 (22) to Waitakere’s 3.1 (19).

The Aussie X program again features on Canadian TV's CNBC, this time as they take the footies to the Topcliff Elementary School.