World Footy News

Sport often generates great stories of people rising above adversity. This is one such story, following the journey of a young South African from a dead-end path on the streets of Itsoseng to a scholarship in the South Australian Riverland and representing his country in Melbourne at the Australian Football International Cup.

The North Delta Junior Australian Football League (NDJAFL) is one of the great stories in the growth if Australian Rules football in Canada. An offshoot of the Vancouver Cougars club, season 2005 saw the number of teams grow from 6 to 8, with the sides competing in two divisions of four. With many of the players turning 15 or 16 next year, organisers have no doubt that some top senior players will emerge in the next few years. Perhaps the likely third International Cup in 2008 will see the first junior come through for Canada.

Just a quick note to say that World Footy News has just completed its first year in operation. In that time we've published nearly 400 stories on Aussie Rules from all parts of the globe. Thanks to everyone's support we've hopefully spread the word on footy further within the Australian public, and helped communicate new ideas in the international footy community, perhaps bringing everyone a little closer together in our common goals. With the continued support of the Australian Rules football world, we hope to grow as our great game evolves in more and more countries. We also welcome feedback so feel free to send us an email or post a comment here.

Reports in the Australian and Irish press concerning the signing of Gaelic footballer Sean Cavanagh to the Brisbane Lions are premature, with discussions ongoing.

New Zealand Falcons captain Andrew Congalton has been receiving some press coverage at home, with a profile article appearing in the North Shore Times and on news website stuff.co.nz.

Papua New Guinea, one of the favourites to win the upcoming International Cup, are still searching for a sponsor to support their tilt at the title.

As reported in Call for commentators at Cup matches the AFL were seeking volunteers to commentate on IC round 1 and 3 matches, which will be filmed for promotional purposes. They have now appointed two locals to the positions, but will still be interested in international guests who can provide some insight into their country's players and local footy scene.

The Brisbane Lions have joined Carlton and Sydney in signing a Gaelic footballer, with County Tyrone player Sean Cavanagh agreeing to terms that will see him become an Australian footballer in 2006. Report from Jake Anson and Matt Guthrie.

The prospect of an AFL match being played in the United States has been tantalising Australian Rules footy fans and players in the US for several years. After several disappointments the signs have been promising this year. Although it has yet to be officially confirmed, it now looks like the match is more likely than ever before.

The Leeside Lions are the 2005 ARFLI Premiers after a toughly contested Grand Final with the Dublin Demons in Kilkenny last Saturday. The Lions completed a clean sweep of all major honours offered by the ARFLI in 2005, also winning the pre-season Super 10s and the leading goalkicker award.