World Footy News

Each year the AFL holds draft camps around Australia, with talented young footballers tested to aid AFL clubs in making their draft choices. A tall young Englishman is creating some interest, setting a new sprint record.

The results are in for the first day of the 2004 US Nationals, being held in Atlanta, Georgia. Reigning back-to-back champions Denver are again dominating Division 1, but there have been a few surprise results across the grades.

Tokyo's new university league kicked off on September 26th, with a rookie-heavy Komazawa defeating the more highly-fancied Senshu.

In possibly one of the most dramatic developments in the history of Australian Rules football, the United States AFL has reportedly signed a three year contract with the new All Sports Television Network. If this deal reaches its potential, the major US leagues could be fast-tracked to the first semi-professional Aussie Rules leagues outside of Australia.

There is no doubt that both Gaelic football and Aussie Rules are growing in North America. Gaelic football has been established much longer in America, and with Australian footy growing fast, opportunities exist for the sports to work together. The New York football scene is a great example of what might be achieved.

The DAFL held the annual post-season Sheepstation Cup and its end of season awards ceremonies on the weekend of September 25th and 26th, with North Copenhagen's Mogens Hansen taking the Sitch Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the DAFL and Britain's Reading Roos defeating the DAFL Wannabees 38-33 in the Cup Final.

An Australian Rules football tournament to be held in Dublin in late October will see the Irish and Scottish national teams face off for the first time ever, with powerful club sides the Dublin Demons and West London Wildcats also making it a top level event.

Australian football has grown strongly in the US in the last 10 years. A large part of that success has been due to Australians who live and work there. Many ultimately return home, but the contribution need not stop there. These former players and administrators are an increasingly large resource that could be tapped. As such, a new group has been created to keep these returned Australians (and expat Americans) in touch, for their own social benefit and the cause of American Aussie Rules. The following article is from the US Footy website. And just a reminder that this weekend is the US Nationals - the biggest Aussie Rules event in North America (see earlier stories, or check back soon for updates).

In this second istalment on the "spread of the hybrid", having noted the established 7 year tradition in Denver, Colorado, we head north to Canada's western provinces. Here clubs at the edge of Aussie Rules' and Gaelic football's lonely frontiers are also keeping match fit, exchanging player talent and enjoying good cross-cultural "craic" (Irish for a helluva lotta fun).

The Toronto Downtown Dingos have knocked off minor premiers the Toronto Eagles in the 2004 OAFL Grand Final, giving them back-to-back premierships, just the third Ontario club to achieve it. Thanks to Bruce Parker in helping compile this report.

Withdrawals through injury, weddings, expectant births and perhaps some long season burnout have changed the character of this year's Australian team for the International Rules series. But maybe that will actually give the Aussies an edge.

The General Manager of Game Development at the AFL, David Matthews, will attend the Pratt Industries 2004 USAFL National Championships.