World Footy News

Aisake O’hAilpin (pictured, courtesy of Carlton FC) was officially placed on AFL club Carlton's international rookie list today. The young Irishman joins his brother Setanta, who has spent much of the past year on the list and is expected to step up to senior level sometime in 2005. Aisake has been given Anthony Franchina's old number 45. Franchina has been a great friend of Setanta in his stay at Carlton.

The high level of Australian media coverage has continued for St Kilda's pre-season camp in South Africa. The AFL club has now run several clinics in different regions, and the Australian media has followed them very closely. Coach Grant Thomas has been so impressed with facilities in Potchefstroom and the overall cultural experience, he has suggested the Saints might return there every year. Furthermore, he has enthusiastically endorsed the game's development there, and has urged the AFL to continue supporting footy in South Africa.

These days plenty of expatriate Australians can claim to have played Australian football in more than one country, such as Australia and somewhere else. But few people have had the opportunity to play in established leagues in two countries, neither of which were the game's original home. Irishman John Enright is one such player, having grown up in Ireland, spent a year playing in the Ontario AFL in Canada, and now with a year under his belt with Leeside in the Irish league. worldfootynews.com thought John might have some unique insight into the state of the game in the two countries, and was pleased to interview this well-travelled football player.

It's exciting to report the first true international tour by a Tongan representative side. After their successful first season of schoolboys footy in the Kingdom, their best side has been selected and will travel to nearby Samoa, to take on their arch rivals.

Players from AFL club Essendon will visit Japan for 10 days in December, as part of a pre-season trip aimed at developing their leadership group.

Brian Clarke of the International Australian Football Council (disputed title) has released preliminary details of the second annual Multicultural Cup.

Several weeks ago the Tokyo Goannas (of the Japan AFL) and Box Hill North (from the Victorian Amateur Football Association) announced the winner of their 2004 scholarship. As in 2003, it allowed a player from BHN to travel to Japan for about three weeks, to train and play with the Samurais, a University based side. It helps further build on the links established between BHN and the Japanese league. The following is from the Tokyo Goannas website.

The exciting USAFL television deal with ASTN, to broadcast US Australian Rules football matches, is now being put into place for the 2005 season schedule.

The USAFL works with Macquarie Univsersity (in New South Wales, Australia) and AFL club Essendon (in Melbourne) to provide two scholarships each year for promising players to travel to Australia and play at a higher level. The 2005 winners have been announced.

In another encouraging sign for international footy, young English immigrant to Australia, Brad Moran, has been drafted by the North Melbourne Kanagroos.

A new Australian Rules football website has been launched, Football Australien. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first French language website dedicated to our great game.

AFL club St Kilda has made one of the shocks of AFL National Draft day, selecting a young man of PNG descent, from outside the elite talent programs. Hopefully his heritage will make him a further role model for the thousands of kids now playing footy in Papua New Guinea, just like Mal Michael of the Brisbane Lions, who has a huge profile in Australia\'s northern neighbour.