Welcome to World Footy News Saturday, January 11 2025 @ 06:55 am ACDT

A Third Way: International Rules in the USA

International Rules

As the GAA and the AFL debate beginning the International Rules series again, may I suggest a Third Way – a tri-nation series between Ireland, Australian and the USA played in the United States. By bringing USFooty, the North American GAA and the New York GAA into the series it would help to promote the game and the two codes – Australian football and Gaelic football in one of the largest economies in the world. It would also be likely to decrease the “tensions” associated with the previous series by putting the games in neutral territory, by being “a showcase” event for a new audience and by bringing in a third team that has not been involved in the earlier tiffs.

AFL seeking international involvement in 150

  • Monday, March 24 2008 @ 02:30 am ACDT
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General News

After the initial disappointment to hear that the book launched for the 150 years of Australian Football apparently hasn't given attention to the game's international spread in the past few decades (a fairly serious oversight), it is pleasing that the 150 celebrations are seeking to embrace international footy in other ways.

Staff involved with the 150 website have several areas that football leagues can get involved, including Kick around the World, photos for the 150 website, the Community Football Weekend and promotion of the International Cup in August. Details follow.

Broadview Hawks announce Player Development Program

North America

The Broadview Hawks, along with their brother club North Old Boys St. Patricks College (NOBSPC) of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) in Australia, are pleased to announce the introduction of a joint effort player development initiative.

The development program is aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of young Canadian players about the Australian code of football and, likewise, giving a young Australian a chance to travel abroad and experience the great north of Canada. Starting in 2008, one player from each club will be able to nominate themselves to be selected and have the opportunity of a lifetime to play the 2009 football season on the other side of the earth. In addition to this great experience, the selected individuals will receive a return flight plus assistance with accommodation and employment once they arrive in their new surroundings.

AFL Oceania Development Manager confirmed

  • Saturday, March 22 2008 @ 01:58 pm ACDT
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Oceania

worldfootynews.com can now reveal further details of the AFL's new Regional Development Manager position for Oceania. For many years there has been a growing push from international Leagues to get more support from the AFL, not just based on wishful thinking or big plans, but backed by promising results on the ground. There has been steady progress in convincing key AFL stakeholders, and this has no doubt been as much an issue within the AFL hierarchy itself as it has between the Leagues and the AFL. Although there have been setbacks along the way, and will no doubt continue to be, the direction is clearly positive. As we've reported previously, progress has accelerated since 2005 and the appointment of a full time staffer as Oceania representative could be a step towards having more regional managers across the world - we certainly hope so. More details follow.

Irish vote to play on against Australia

  • Saturday, March 22 2008 @ 10:35 am ACDT
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International Rules

A vote of the Gaelic Athletic Association‘s Central Council saw the Irish counties vote 24 to 8 for a resumption of the International Rules Series. A key factor appears to have been the Dubai document that showed a pretty thorough attempt by both sides to clarify the rules and eliminate foul play whilst still preserving the physical nature of the hybrid code. The AFL have yet to publicly respond at time of writing, but previous reports by AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou would suggest that the AFL will agree.

In the past month former Irish captain and current GAA media commentator, Colm O‘Rourke penned an eloquent piece in favour of the concept and Tadhg Kennelly spoke out passionately for the return of the series and also emphasised the point that AFL clubs would engage in open slather recruiting if there were no formal agreement between the 2 codes. This latter point probably carried significant weight within the GAA.

The Tests could resume as early as this October though that may not be logistically possible. Gerard Healy, Australian selector and passionate supporter of the hybrid games has suggested calling the games “Friendlies” rather than “Tests”. There may be some merit in that, not just to emphasise yet again that blood need not be spilt, but in being truer to the place the series has as a hybrid and exhibition style contest that is entertaining and gives fans and players of both Gaelic Football and Australian Football the chance to experience an international dimension otherwise lacking at the elite level in each code.

There are also suggestions of playing 2 out of every 3 years - ie home and away and rest year.

"Kevin O‘Sheedy" is not sure whether he will coach again, whereas Ireland’s Sean Boylan seems certain to again be manager for Ireland.

PNG scholarship player selected in Queensland U18 State Squad

  • Saturday, March 22 2008 @ 10:35 am ACDT
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Oceania

Many things are happening through AFL Queensland that will be good for both PNG and international footy, from the appointment of an Oceania regional development manager to scholarship schemes in Brisbane and Cairns. And the Papuans now look closer than ever to having their first home-grown AFL listed player in John James. Read on for the latest from Australia's northern neighbour.

USFooty Top 10 Countdown: Number 8 Chicago United

North America

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com are teaming up to present the 2008 USFooty Top 10 Poll. To kick things off we are having a Top 10 Countdown for the Preseason Top 10. Who are the best teams in USFooty?

Chicago United is ranked Number 8 in the 2008 Preseason WFN/USFN Top 10 Poll. We preview their season and talk to Chicago stalwart Al MacGlashan.

Four Irishmen start AFL Round 1

  • Saturday, March 22 2008 @ 03:40 am ACDT
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Europe

With several new Irish players on AFL rookie lists, it will be interesting to watch their progress in 2008 and see how many might get a chance at the top level. Meanwhile, four players from Ireland were named in their club's starting line-ups for Round 1 of the AFL season. Setanta O'hAilpin started the year in Carlton's senior side (though ultimately used off the bench), Tadhg Kennelly has been named in the back pocket for Sydney, Colm Begley off half-back for Brisbane and Martin Clarke at half-forward for Collingwood.

Disappointingly Setanta was used in the ruck where Carlton are under-manned but the tall Fijian Irishman again struggled to get his hand to the ball. His brief time in the forward line yielded 1.1 and he's also looked more accomplished in the backlines previously. Hopefully when the Blues establish a better ruck setup Setanta will be used elsewhere, rather than demoted.

Oceania to get International Development Manager

  • Friday, March 21 2008 @ 06:15 pm ACDT
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  • Views: 2,533
Oceania

In exciting news for Australian Football across Oceania, the AFL has head-hunted AFLPNG CEO Andrew “Cadz” Cadzow for the role of International Football Development Manager for the Oceania Region. Cadzow has been the Regional Development Officer for Northern Queensland after helping to establish the region 11 years ago. According to the AFL Queensland website “He will leave behind a legacy of quality programs and practices that have served the Brisbane North region incredibly well over the years, resulting in significant participation growth.”

Andrew has been intricately involved with PNG footy for a long time, coaching the team at the 2002 International Cup, was closely involved again in 2005, and is the current CEO of AFLPNG. It is hoped that within his new role he will still be able to support PNG footy as the very recent departure of Peter Cates, AFLPNG’s Operations Manager, as a result of ill-health would leave a devastating organisational void.

Read more about Cadzow in Cadzow made a difference.

Review of Japan's 2007 tour of Australia

  • Friday, March 21 2008 @ 05:25 pm ACDT
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  • Views: 3,034
Asia In August 2007, Japan's national side the Samurais toured Australia, playing four matches against local amateur sides. The trip Down Under has become an annual event for the JAFL. Read on for a report of the tour, courtesy of Hiroyuki Tohyama.

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