Richmond international rookie John Heslin has returned home to Ireland indefinitely. The 19-year-old was selected by the Tigers with pick 90 in the 2011 Rookie Draft, and played in Ireland's winning 2011 International Cup team.

“It’s never easy for young players to relocate to a new country, a long away from their family and friends. John found that transition difficult, and has experienced homesickness,” Richmond FC general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

“We have worked hard to support John and will continue to do so, but we understand his decision to return home at this time.”

Originally from Adelaide, but now based full-time in the UK, Rick Shrowder has been a driving force behind footy in England's North East for some years now.

Besides this, he is also one of the founders of GCS - Global Community Sports, an organisation using Australian rules football to connect with young students both in the UK and India.

Last week’s Rookie draft saw the listing of two Irishmen. But also we saw some others with exotic heritage listed with AFL clubs, such as Tasmanian born Gold Coast recruit Aaron Hall’s whose mother is Fijian.

Richmond are putting together a highly varied multicultural mix.  Joining their Irish recruit John Heslin (and PNG scholarship listed players) are Ben Darrou whose father was born in Morrocco and Samoan Piva Wright (see Youtube video of Piva on TAC future stars below).

worldfootynews.com recently reported on the transition of the AFL's National and International Development Manager, David Matthews, to CEO of the AFL's newest club, the Greater Western Sydney Giants.  That begged the question of who Matthews' replacement would be and whether Matthews and GWS coach Kevin Sheedy would actively pursue an international agenda.  We caught up with the new CEO to find out.

Firstly we were keen to know who would take on the role of Development Manager for the AFL and whether he would be as passionate about the international component as his predecessor.  Matthews was confident, having already worked with his repalcement.

"Andrew Dillon, whom is currently on the AFL Executive, has assumed responsibility for Development.  Andrew has been on the Executive for a number of years and has a genuine passion for, and understanding of, development. As a couple of examples of his International interest, he wrote the rules for the International Scholarship Scheme and helped to organise the match in Shanghai (attended also).  He will be a strong advocate and he, Tony Woods and I recently presented an upgraded international plan to the AFL Commission".
 

Over the last 7 years Australian football's international growth has prospered from the active support of the AFL Game Development department overseen by David Matthews, with his title ultimately expanding to be General Manager of National and International Development.  Matthews has been genuinely enthusiastic about supporting the game beyond Australia and at the same time built an excellent reputation within the AFL.

Unfortunately Matthews has now moved on.  The AFL has made a huge investment in the new club GWS Giants and the sudden departure of their CEO was far from optimal, so the AFL posted Matthews to act in the role.  It has now been confirmed that he will move into that position for at least 12 months.

The loss for the international movement is lessened due to Game Development now featuring a dedicated international manager in Tony Woods, but it remains important that the top position be filled with someone keen to continue Matthews' good work.  We'll watch with interest to see who wins the job.

In the meantime many thanks to David Matthews for all his great work including his openness to interviews with this website and we wish him good luck in the new role.  And it will be very interesting to see if the GWS Giants embrace international development given its coach Kevin Sheedy is the most enthusiastic coach on this front and now they have the most internationally aware CEO.  Perhaps international football's loss will be international football's gain.

The spotlight of CHOGM has left Perth and the football focus shifts to the new year but the background behind the two teams that contested the recent CHOGM Cup deserves further attention.
 
Both teams are involved in Perth’s annual Harmony Cup. The WAFL is the instrument for football in WA and has entered into a relationship with WA Education that’s producing results for all stakeholders. The following is from WAFC Emerging Markets Manager, Paul Mugambwa, better know as a South Fremantle Bulldogs player.

In March 2010 the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) formed a partnership with the Edmund Rice Centre to develop a multicultural football team that could develop participants skills and knowledge of AFL and eventually assist them joining local community clubs. 

Through this partnership the Edmund Rice Lions were formed and the team consisted of young men aged 14 to 23 from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds. The Lions were more than just a football team. While participants were able to develop their skills and knowledge of AFL they also developed leadership skills, team building, self confidence and a sense of belonging. In their first year the Lions trained 2-3 times per week and competed in more than 8 AFL matches over 5 months. Over the course of the 5 months the Lions had more the 75 participants with 30 regular players. At the end of the first year more than 10 players made the transition from the Lions team into local community clubs.

Irish Banshees World Team representative and Sydney Women's AFL All-Australian representative Marie Keating was one of the female football stars selected to attend this year’s AFL/AIS Academy.

Though usually reserved for the country’s upcoming male talent, many of whom go on to be drafted, for the first time this year’s intake included women selected from this year’s Women’s National Championships and Youth Girls National Championships. Keating was joined by other talented women and girls from across the country.

Marie Keating (SWAFL and Ireland)
Katie Brennan (QWAFL)
Elise O'Dea (ACT WAFL)
Maddison Smith (TASWAFL)
Courtney Cramey (SAWFL)
Chelsea Randall (WAWFL)
Kristy Irvine (NTWAFL)
Aasta O'Connor (VWFL)
Ellie Blackburn (VIC Youth Girls)
Jess Dal Pos (VIC Youth Girls)
Zoe Hart (VIC Development)
 

The AFL together with the Australian Government has kicked off a unique program that has seen young footballers in Perth from a range of cultural backgrounds take part in the AFL Multicultural All Star Camp to celebrate the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) coming to their city. Minister for Defence Stephen Smith was on hand to officially open the camp at the Fremantle Football Club and meet the participants.

For some of our international readers, here Commonwealth refers to the Commonwealth of Nations, countries formerly part of the British Empire.

Driven by the West Australian Football Commission, the AFL Multicultural All Star Camp ran from Friday October 21 to Monday October 24 to coincide with the start of the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

The featured match was between the Lions and the Catalysts.

Perhaps the next biggest event in Australian football behind the AFL Grand Final is Brownlow Medal night, when the AFL's best players gather for the awarding of the medal of "fairest and best", based on the umpires' votes.  The evening is telecast live across Australia and this year featured an international flavour.

A segment paid tribute to the efforts of Australian football clubs in helping their communities in times of disaster, and highlighted four examples.  Country Victoria was hit by floods earlier this year, especially the Loddon Valley.  Recognising the efforts of Newbridge FC, they were represented by Ron Trimble, their club President.  And from Queensland's Lockyer Valley, where flooding cost lives, came Tony and Donna Bowers, founders of the area's only Aussie Rules local footy side.

But the surprise international aspect came through New Zealand and Japan.