World Footy News

Attempts are currently being made to establish a football team in Jordan's capital, Amman. So far the most that has been achieved is the occasional "kick-to-kick", but Nick Gibson, the man behind the idea, remains hopeful of securing the numbers required for a club. If successful, this club would be a potential starter in the next AFL Middle East season.

Unfortunately for Gibson, whilst he's, "been putting the word out to expats," there are limited Aussies in the country, "and the majority are rugby fans." In his own words, "it's tough to find anyone, let alone get a team together."

If you wish to get involved or can be of assistance to Nick email him at n_m_gibson [at] hotmail [dot] com

Tim Grose, the brother of former Port Adelaide player Gavin Grose, will next week travel to Tonga where he will spend twelve months as an AFL Volunteer, working with AFL Tonga to develop the country's football program. Grose recently completed a week in Canberra and two days at AFL Queensland in preparation for the the role.

AFL Oceania Development Manager Andrew Cadzow said, "the progressive AFL Tonga committee, who already has full time JDO (Junior Development Officer) in place and expanding and working through the schools, will find Tim a fantastic boost for the next 12 months. His priorities are to assist and develop the Auskick and schools programs and to develop their talent program to include a team in the November Under 16 Oceania Cup and a competitive squad in the 2011 International Cup."

During this year's Grand Final week, the AFL will be holding a Multicultural Academy Camp for male students in Year 7 and 8. The camp is one of many initiatives the league is taking to ensure that Australians of all backgrounds are exposed to Australian Football. The camp, which is free, will be held in Melbourne and span five days and four nights. It will include AFL-run training sessions, clinics with AFL players, fitness and skill testing and guest speakers.

To be eligible, students must be male (a female camp will be held in 2010), verified by their school principal as actively attending Year 7 or 8 and be of a multicultural background. This is defined as having at least one parent born overseas. Participants will then be selected on athletic talent, potential, leadership qualities and willingness to develop as a footballer.

See the below flyer for further details.

Update: Note that the program is primarily open to Victorian boys - if there were kids from interstate (possibly overseas) that wanted to apply it's understood they would be considered but costs such as airfares and accommodation would not be covered.

Those at the International Cup last year or following the Peace Team on their journey there may have noticed the cameras (and microphones) accompanying the team. That footage has come together in “Tackling Peace” the inspirational story of Israeli and Palestinian youths who unite over the game of Australian football. Along with the players and team staff the program also features Kevin Sheehan, Ron Barassi and Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico.

The documentary narrated by Hugo Weaving premieres on Saturday 4 July 2009 on Network Ten - 1.00pm Sydney & Adelaide, 2.00pm Melbourne & Brisbane, 4.00pm Perth with replays to follow on the ONE digital channel. The film is also featuring as the Opening night Film at the 2009 AICE Australian Film Festival in Jerusalem.

Australian football in Indonesia has made steady progress in recent years, with adult sides in the Jakata Bintangs, Bali Geckos and more recent arrivals the Borneo Bears. The Bintangs have also had a formal junior program that has continued the process of ensuring a new generation of players - something that has been an ongoing effort by the Bintangs and others such as Robert Baldwin.

Now Jakarta's junior program is taking another big step forward with the launch of AFL Indonesia. To mark the official start they have staged the Allan Taylor Cup, an Australian Football Carnival for Indonesian youth on Saturday, 20 June 2009 at Buperta Park, Cibubur. It was attended by Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer, Oceania AFL Development Manager Andrew Cadzow and former Collingwood player Craig Starcevich.

Andrew Cadzow stated, “We are looking forward to working with the Jakarta Bintangs to set up a fully fledged junior football league for the kids of Jakarta and further promote the game to other parts of Indonesia, starting with Bali and Balikpapan”. The program also aims to provide a senior Indonesian team for the 2011 International Cup.

For more see Juniors cup launches AFL Indonesia which at time of writing was featuring in the HQ section on the front of the AFL website.

Women's football has been growing strongly in Australia in recent years, and statistics have indicated especially so in Victoria and Queensland. The bi-annual national championships were staged in Perth in early June, with all of Australia's states and mainland territories spread across two divisions, with the exception of Tasmania, and with WA fielding sides in both divisions. Victoria showed once again their dominence of women's footy, going through undefeated and accounting comfortably for the host state in the Division One grand final. The following report is courtesy of Leesa Catto from the VWFL.

On Saturday 13th June, the all-local German Black Eagles had their first International for the season, taking on the Finland Icebreakers in Cologne, Germany.

Although the hosts proved too strong for the Icebreakers early, the second half saw a spirited comeback by the Finns, who were goal for goal with Germany in the third term and outscored them in the last quarter. The early-match lead proved an insurmountable target however, the Black Eagles running out 37-point winners.

Thanks to Luke McBride from the AFLG for the following report.

With Australian Rules football starting to flourish on the west coast of Canada with its junior leagues, it's little surprise that women’s football is starting to take shape. This weekend sees the inaugural Canadian National Championships for Women and Youth taking place in Vancouver, at the University of British Columbia.

The round robin tournament is seen as a major step for women’s football in Canada as 68 women aged between 18 and 26 will be participating in the competition, representing three clubs across the provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta.

Former Sydney Swan star Tadhg Kennelly has hinted that he may return to Australia once the current Gaelic football season finishes. The Herald Sun newspaper has quoted both Kennelly and his former coach Paul Roos, with both men appearing to be open to the suggestion of a return.

The West Coast Eagles' Fijian-Australian recruit, Nic Naitanui, made an impressive debut last Saturday night at Etihad Stadium. Although the Eagles lost to Richmond (beware the club that has just replaced its coach), Naitanui was very useful in ruck and in the forward line.

Taken at number two in last year's draft, the big Fijian had injury concerns to overcome before finally playing his first AFL match. His athleticism was undoubted, but the question was whether he would also have the footy skills and smarts, particularly as he is relatively new to Australian football and was not prolific in statistics in lower grades thus far.

But Naitanui quickly showed what made him so sought after and has sent the Western Bulldogs to Fiji in search of similar talent. His leap at the centre bounces gave him a distinct advantage, but equally impressive was his second efforts to gain the ground ball, and his use of his height to keep his arms clear of a tackle and feed out handballs. He finished with 3 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 marks and 7 hitouts. To cap off the show he took a screamer, jumping atop three Richmond defenders to bring down a spectacular mark. Although his shot on goal hit the post it was still a fine performance. He moved and handled the ball differently to any other AFL player, and at 201 cm, with dark skin and long dreadlocks, he stands out from the crowd and is an instant cult hero.

Australian football legend and AFL ambassador Kevin Sheedy is appearing at the Australian Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday night from 7 to 9pm. Guests are welcome but bookings are essential. Details from the Beijing Bombers via Facebook follow...

Kevin Sheedy, AFL Legend, is coming to Beijing for one night only. With Stephen McDonnell, ABC Correspondent, lined up to ask the hard hitting questions of Sheedy, join us for this chance to hear tales straight from the footy field, the locker room and the management office.

Kevin Sheedy is one of the AFL's most enduring figures. A player and coach over 5 decades, he has an unsurpassed record of involvement in 1,000 games and eight premierships. Kevin is currently working with the AFL, who have brought him to China as AFL Ambassador.

Contact events at austcham.org now to secure your ticket for this one off event at the Australian Embassy. Bookings essential. Tickets RMB200 inc Canapes and free flow of DXCEL Australian Beer and Wine Republic Wine.

7:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Australian Embassy, Beijing
21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Beijing, China
More details

The Washington DC area's junior footy program, Saturday Morning Footy, enters its 4th year when it begins on June 20 at Bluemont Park in Arlington VA. The program is based on the AFL's Auskick program and is designed to introduce girls and boys aged 5 to 15 to the great game of Australian football. Members of the Baltimore Washington Eagles, the US Revolution and the US Freedom will be on hand to help out with the program.

The program has steadily grown and this year plans to add an introductory house league for the older and more experienced players.