World Footy News

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

The seedings for the 2005 International Cup have been released. It is to be held in Melbourne in August. The same 11 countries that competed in 2002 are expected to return, plus Spain making their first appearance.

As 2004 comes to an end, World Footy News reflects on another interesting year in the international growth of Australian Football, having a look at some of the ups and downs and interesting stories.

World Footy News has released a new page, detailing key moments in the growth of Australian Rules football.

Ethiopian Goaner Tutlan has made his debut for St Marys in the Northern Territory AFL reserves. Playing against Southern Districts, the 196cm tall footy-convert kicked four goals from full forward, in his team's big win. His exceptional leap is said to be one of his greatest assets, but coaching staff are keen for him put on a lot more muscle. World Footy News will give updates on the African during the season.

It could be argued that many Australian football supporters know little of the true history of the game, and perhaps not many ponder its future. Most focus only on their own club, perhaps occasionally looking into its past, but rarely the bigger picture of the sport. There are lessons from the past, and the remarkable spread of the game overseas in some ways parallel its movement across Australia over many decades. Some would have us believe that the game has only ever been seriously played in the south east corner of Australia - they do a great injustice to many other major leagues, but also to their own sport, which has a rich and colourful tradition that spans well over a century across its native land. Similarly we need to recognise the emerging markets for footy in North America, Europe, Asia, the Pacific and other untapped regions. Opportunities should not be missed and left for later. If we seek lessons from the past, we might ensure the game's future, which some would argue is less than secure. The following article explores the historic beginnings of Australian Rules football through to the emergence of the AFL and the sport's growth around the world.

The Essendon Football Club have been true to their word to stick with Ethiopian hopeful Goaner Tutlan, and have organised for him to spend a season learning Aussie Rules in Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory.

The Samoan Australian Rules Football League's new Development Officer, Kable Kelleway, has arrived and is settling into his new job.