World Footy News

Although worldfootynews.com focuses on leagues and clubs around the world, primarily outside of Australia, it would be remiss of us not to mention that the finals are on for the world's premier Australian Rules league - the AFL.

Australian football has long neglected its own neighbours. A lot of work is now being done to change that. Could footy be bound for the South Pacific Games?

Not so long ago, when Australians moved overseas, they were forced to leave behind the game they love. Fortunately that is now changing, and Jeremy Blyth is someone who has benefitted. And since he spent several teenage years in New Zelaland, he hopes to represent them with pride in the 2005 International Cup.

As football programs grow in countries they soon wish to test their national squad, but in the case of South Africa, there are no other Aussie Rules nations nearby. This may not be the case for much longer, as plans are underway to introduce the game to Zimbabwe. The remarkable explosion in interest in Australian footy appears poised to spread through southern Africa.

The Japan Samurai and a South Island New Zealand side have battled it out in a tight contest at Optus Oval in Melbourne, Australia.

The Ontario Australian Football League finals are here, opening with the Qualifying and Elimination matches. This report from Steve Kleyer.

A key component in the promotion of Australian Rules football around the world has been the Internet. After being dormant for some time during a major overhaul, it is great to see the new New Zealand AFL website online.

The Pittsburgh Wallabies are an Australian Rules footy club based in Pennsylvania, in the northeast of the US. The following is a release from them regarding their upcoming tournament.

Further information on the AFL's international development policy.

The North East Australian Football League in the US has come to a close, with the finals played in Philadelphia. The New York Magpies closed the season well, ensuring that their top of the table finish was translated into a Grand Final win.

The growth of Australian footy in the South Pacifc continues, with the initial forays into the Solomons solidifying into a formal association and practice matches are underway.

Kolja Koracak first encountered Aussie Rules in the USA, playing two seasons in the Arizona AFL. On returning to his homeland of Croatia, he started looking for ways to spread the word and get a regular fix of his new favourite sport.

Sash Herceg arrived in Perth in 1996, a recent immigrant from the city of Split on Croatia's Adriatic coast. After a few years of watching Australia's own football code, he decided to give it a go, playing senior football for West Coast Cowan in Perth and the Fitzroy Reds in Melbourne.

WFN recently caught up with the two to talk about plans for bringing the game back to Croatia.