World Footy News

From http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=aflfocus&spg=display&articleid=177483

During September, Baltimore Washington Eagle Gus Horsey ventured to Nairobi, Kenya where he ran several footy clinics and organised a grand final between four local teams.

After what some might say was neglect, the mainstream Australian media have had a few reports recently about potential players coming into the AFL from overseas, and the growth of the game in South Africa. Perhaps Australian sports journalists are starting to realise that readers have an interest in footy beyond their own club.

It has been two years since the inaugural International Cup, held in Melbourne. The event was a great success and plenty has been said and written about it, but there have been many new developments in the world of Australian Rules football, and hopefully a lot of new people have become interested in this emerging aspect of the game. So worldfootynews.com thought it would be worthwhile reviewing the 2002 event. Later, we will preview the 2005 tournament.

The SAFF Mission Statement: ‘To contribute to the development of Australian Rules football in Sweden, through promotion and interaction attuned to Swedish society.’

Earlier this year, WFN caught up with Philip Porublev about the trials and tribulations of founding the Stockholm Dynamite. Now, Stockholm's Damien Waldron gives a post-season review of the progress of a side where 90% of the playing list had never kicked a footy prior to this year.

World Footy News is now expanding its links section. Previously only websites relating to Australian Rules and focusing on the game outside of Australia were accepted (with the exception of major leagues like the AFL and state leagues). We now have a Miscellaneous - Australian links section, for pages like AFL club forums etc. As always, click on Links or Link Exchange to view our links. Our news focus will, however, remain on the leagues and clubs outside of Australia.

AFL club Essendon are trialling Ethiopian tall man Goaner Tutlan. The 22 year old came to Australia as a refugee four years ago, and although his skills are only in the early stages of development, he has a background in soccer and basketball and his athleticism has impressed officials at the Bombers.

In what could be a first for secondary schools in the Northern Hemisphere, two schools in Canada have fielded Australian Rules sides. The Etobicoke Kangaroos Australian Football Club (from the Ontario AFL) has conducted three weeks of training, finishing with an inter-schools match, between St Clement and Bishops Strachan. The following is from Greg Everett (Head Coach of the Canadian National men's side, the Northwind).

Every now and then the debate begins about which football clubs (regardless of code) are the biggest or best supported, or which cities support their teams best. Now there is a website that answers some of these questions.

The Arizona AFL have launched their new season and their new look website. The league is a trailblazer in the USAFL, with almost all players being American. Due to the weather in this western US state, they also play most of their season when much of the rest of the country is getting ready for the harsh winter months.

Youth participation in Australian football is growing worldwide as clubs realise its potential for attracting future players and families to the sport. In this article, NZAFL's Steve Froggatt talks about his country's recent Auskick restructure, the program currently provided and the recent growth of football in New Zealand

Rumours continue in Ireland that AFL club Carlton have offered Aisake O'hAilpin the chance to trial with them. Aisake is the younger brother of Setanta, already showing great promise on Carlton's rookie list, and Sean Og, who starred for Ireland in the recent International Rules series.

Australian Rules football leagues are springing up all around the world, but what chance does a junior player have of making it to the very top? worldfootynews.com takes a look from the statistical side.