World Footy News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com are teaming up to present the 2008 USFooty Top 10 Poll. To kick things off we are having a Countdown for the Preseason Top 10. Who are the best teams in USFooty? This article looks at the club our judges ranked 9th.

Tonight sees the launch of the 2008 AFL season, with last year's strugglers Carlton and Richmond at the MCG and last year's grand finalists Geelong and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide. We'll have a quick look at all the clubs' prospects, and invite readers to rank the teams themselves.

And it's good to see the television schedule for Round 1 is available from the front of the AFL website - not just the normal domestic times but details of coverage around the world. It includes Setanta in the UK, US and Canada, the Australia Network across Asia/Pacific and Sky Sports 2 in New Zealand.

AFL on international television - Round 1

AFL Broadcast Guide page

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? Today we start with the club our judges ranked at 10th.

The Zagreb Hawks are planning to host this year's CEAFL championships on May 3rd. While the list of attendees is still unconfirmed, this year could include teams from Switzerland and the Dubai Heat in addition to previous attendees possibly to return from France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and defending champions the Finland Icebreakers.

This would be the first time Croatia has hosted the event, with the home team Knights already in training. The Zagreb Hawks club has seen a steady increase in player numbers at training and has started holding an intra-club series between the "Hawks" and the "Saints".

With the Hawks and Saints playing a metro game on the first weekend of every month, there is a possibility that there may be two clubs in Zagreb as early as next year.

Further north in Helsinki, the Finland Icebreakers have also increased their number of domestic games in the lead-up to this year's IC, with the Helsinki Heatseekers and Halikko-Salo Juggernaughts playing matches against new sides representing Espoo and Turku.

Women's Footy in Canada, at least in western Canada, has grown rapidly and 2008 promises to see the game grow further. This story kindly provided by one of our readers.

Many would be surprised to discover that women's footy is played in Canada at all, let alone that the first game began as a junior girls match between two high schools in British Columbia, St Clements and Bishops Strachan in November 10th, 2004. The mixed junior league, North Delta Junior Football League also began that year.