World Footy News

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.

As part of a general site refinement, administration wishes to announce that the Clubs Forming topic has been removed and all stories moved to their respective geographic locations.

The Munich Kangaroos defeated the Düsseldorf Lions by 17 points in the final of the Oktoberfest Cup on October 2nd, with a combined Hamburg/Copenhagen side dubbed the \'Northern Alliance\' edging out 2004 AFLG premiers the Frankfurt Redbacks for fourth.

International Rules Football - it is a long and impressive sounding name, but so far few outside of Ireland and Australia would know it referred to the hybrid Aussie/Gaelic game played each October between the elite of the AFL and the GAA. Yet how many Aussies and Irish would know that (not withstanding the annual under 17s matches) it is not just the 24 official October Tests that have seen the tackle and mark with an O'Neills Gaelic ball? And that playing fields have been graced with the curious sight of 4 posts, cross-bar and nets, not just in Croke Pk or the MCG, but in fields across North America, Germany and Asia?

The success of the Tonga Australian Football Association boot orphanage is set to continue, with shipping company Pacific Forum Line (PFL) agreeing to sponsor the program.

For international leagues, getting exposure in their own country is not their only short term goal. They also seek coverage in Australia, as that can have many benefits, such as greater awareness in Australia of international footy, which will ultimately lead to the International Cup becoming a more prestigious event. Recently Canadian Aussie Rules was featured on Australian Channel 9's Today show.

Galway, on the west coast of Ireland, is a city with a proud sporting tradition in Gaelic football and hurling. It is also a great place to visit, and after some months spent listening to suggestions from his Dublin Demons teammates that they tour to Galway (particularly from Aussies on the team keen for a night out), Diarmiud O\'Riain decided it was time to look into seriously founding a club in the City of Tribes.

Hashem Ouaida recently returned to Melbourne following one year of hard work bringing the Australian native code to his ancestral homeland of Lebanon. His efforts also helped start up a Melbourne Lebanese community football organisation which fielded a side in this year's Multicultural Cup and has started a Sunday social competition.

World Footy News recently caught up with Ouaida to talk about their progress.