In preparation for their 2005 season to kick off in two weekends' time, the AFL Germany held a national training camp in the Hessian city of Fulda. Not put off by sub-zero temperatures and a healthy cover of snow, 25 participants came together under the guidance of Cam Jeffreys and Berlin Crocodiles coach Steve Barratt.

The trend of international footy leagues to tweak their system continues in Denmark for the 2005 season as the DAFL has again slightly remodelled its restructure of two years ago.

The new system includes a five-team premier league, with clubs supported by their own local leagues, similar to the 'metro' competitions in the USA.

As part of a night of celebrations for teams and individuals achieving national or international triumph in their sport, the Frankfurt Redbacks were awarded an Ehrenmedaille ('Medal of Honour') by the city of Frankfurt on February 25th.

Italian Alessandro Ciampa has been working hard to start Aussie Rules in the Italian province of Campania since late last year. It seems that there have now been officers delegated to the neighbouring provinces of Lazio and Molise and the number of squads has grown to four - Polosportiva Napoli, San Giorgio Dragons, Salerno Fishmongers and the Barra Fighters.

More news will be presented as it comes to hand, in the meantime visit the Federazione Italiana di Football Australiano for more information.

The Brussels Saints were newcomers to the European scene for 2004, with an impressive mix of experienced footballers and new recruits from a rugby background taking out the Central European AFL championship.

Luke White reviews their 2004 season and tells more about their plans for 2005.

As clubs in the northern hemisphere are coming out of their winter hibernation, players are hitting the training track and plans are being made for the 2005. World Footy News has recently had stories on how Spain and Germany are shaping up, now we're giving a sneak preview of some of the new developments in other leagues across Europe this year - including some new clubs, new structures and possibly a whole new league in Italy.

The only new nation to step up for the International Cup 2005, Spain is still a mystery to everyone but a few of the European sides such as Paris, Brussels and some of the German teams who have come up against them in the past year.

There are some promising signs from the nation, and as a Spanish national team largely organised by the Madrid Bears players prepares for the International Cup in Melbourne, a four-team league has resurfaced and is kicking on in the small Catalan town of Valls, 120km from Barcelona.

The AFL Germany has released its plans for season 2005, which will again see the five clubs from 2004 competing. Included is a nation-wide preseason training camp to be held during March in the picturesque city of Fulda, open to all payers, fans and officials from across Germany and hoping to help consolidate the league and the German national side.

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.

The Danish Australian Football League have released their upgraded website. It's the same address, www.dafl.dk, but has a new look and feel. You can choose from Danish and English by clicking the small flag at the top right of the site. Check out their great records database - something all established leagues should have.