The Collingwood sponsorship deal struck today with Wizard has given Collingwood and football a foot in the door with NBC, and negotiations are under way to have Collingwood matches and highlights packages broadcast into Asia. It may also be the first step in bigger things to come.

The Samurais A side have won this year's Narita Cup in Japan with a 7-point victory over Australian amateur side Box Hill North in a hard fought final.

Australian Rules is alive and well in Asia with four international matches played in May. The results are a good form guide in the run up to the Asian Champs in September, with current title holder Hong Kong showing impressive form.

The Japan AFL will be holding their Annual 2 Day Australian Rules Football Carnival, the Narita Cup on June 11th and 12th 2005. Originally only Japanese based teams entered, however in 2001, the inclusion of Victorian Amateur Football Association team, Box Hill North, triggered the rapid growth of the competition. This report from Matt Hegarty from the Tokyo Goannas.

The Melbourne-based Vietnamese side who competed at the last two Multicultural Cups are headed for Japan to compete in the 2005 Narita Cup.

The Japanese have finished the Arafura Games with a stronger showing despite going down to the Northern Territory Indigenous Development Squad by 53 points in the Gold medal playoff. The Samurai return home with a Silver medal and invaluable match practice together as a team, against quality opposition, on a full sized oval.

Round 3 of the Arafura Games Aussie Rules tournament on Wednesday night has seen Japan's winning run come to a crushing end, with a thumping loss to the Northern Territory's Indigenous Development squad before a crowd of around 600 at Marrara Stadium's main oval. World Footy News looks at the game, and gives some further insight into the competing teams.

Japan have won again at the Arafura Games, this time big winners over the Northern Territory Super Rules side. This brings them to two wins from two games and should guarantee them a playoff spot for the Gold medal.

The Arafura Games are underway in Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory. As discussed previously, the games have a proud history in international Australian Rules football. The Japanese Samurai are using the tournament to fine tune their play before the Australian Football International Cup in August. The first round of matches were played today.

The Philippines will host the 2005 Asian Championships on September 10 in Manila. This will be the sixth annual Asian Championships and the first to feature the Philippine Eagles.

The report courtesy of Derek 'Dezza' Ackary.