World Footy News

In a potentially major blow to spreading the game in the United States, FOX Sports World will not cover the AFL in 2005 or beyond, as it becomes FOX Soccer Channel. The Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) report that the change should not affect coverage in Canada, and they are hopeful that the AFL can secure a deal with another US network.

The AFL has officially released a proposed draw for the 2005 International Cup, with each nation to play five pool matches and a playoff match from the 3rd to the 13th of August.

In a new step for international Aussie Rules, one round of matches will be played in country Victoria, promising an interesting opportunity for some exposure.

The schedule also includes a march-past of all teams before the St Kilda vs Geelong match at the Telstra Dome on Friday the 5th of August, and the final to be played at the Collingwood vs Carlton match on the Sunday August 13th.

In what is believed to be a first for Aussie Rules football in the US a British team, the Reading Kangaroos, are to play the Atlanta Kookaburras in Atlanta on April 9th 2005 for the Atlanta International Footy Challenge Cup.

Australian Rules Football has taken its first tenuous steps towards gaining a foothold in the Philippines. The following article is by Derek Ackary ("Dezza"), President of the Philippines AFL. This is the story of how it all started and the very positive progress so far.

The AFL Germany has released its plans for season 2005, which will again see the five clubs from 2004 competing. Included is a nation-wide preseason training camp to be held during March in the picturesque city of Fulda, open to all payers, fans and officials from across Germany and hoping to help consolidate the league and the German national side.

Unfortunately the annual Arizona AFL Metro Footy World Invitational has had to be cancelled for 2005, with issues relating to field availability. But the good news for US footballers is that a new tournament has been announced - the Wild West Shootout, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Confirmed starters are the Mojave Greens and Tucson Javelinas. The following is a press release from the organisers.

World Footy News is pleased to release new small logos that can be used by administrators for websites wishing to link to our site.

There is talk floating around the US that the South Eastern and North Eastern Australian Football Leagues may be merged to form a new Eastern AFL.

Over the next few weeks World Footy News will release region by region reviews of the 2004 census data collected to give a snapshot of the state of Australian football around the world. Our first article looks at the numbers in North America.

A few more details of the International Cup plans have become available. The AFL's Ed Biggs has announced a march-past of players and the tournament dinner.

Sydney Swans and Ireland International Rules star, Tadhg Kennelly, helped his old club Listowel Emmets win the North Kerry Gaelic football final while home for Xmas.

Like everyone else, World Footy News is deeply saddened by the massive disaster resulting from the earthquake and tsunamis in the Asia region, with well over 100,000 people confirmed dead. We take this moment to urge anyone who has not already made a donation and can afford to, to do so through agencies such as the Red Cross, United Nations or any other agency you think is appropriate.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Red Cross Australia

United Nations