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North America

Where's Footy Going in North America Now?

  • Friday, September 11 2015 @ 12:40 pm ACST
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  • Views: 1,971
North America

An editorial from Rob de Santos the Chairman of AFANA on the future of Australian football in North America.  This editorial original appeared at www.afana.com  on August 30, 2015.

A week ago the first American, born and raised in the United States, make it to the top level of football down under. I hope that these closing weeks of the AFL season will see Jason Holmes (and perhaps Mason Cox, also) do enough to stay there in coming seasons. It's been a long wait. Twenty years for fans. We've also seen the conclusion of a huge new domestic TV contract for the AFL. It's also a milestone year for AFANA. Two decades of promoting the growth of Aussie rules in North America. From scrambling to save one hour of one week delayed highlights on US / Canadian television back in 1996 to having 12 hours per week of live coverage in the USA & 3 hours in per week in Canada plus highlights and repeats now. We have seen six networks come and go in that time. It's been a long journey.

I've been reflecting on that journey and giving serious thought to what it means now and where the sport in North America needs to go in the next two decades. I never expected in 1995-1996 that in 2015, I would be here and I have no plans to be doing this in two more decades. Retirement beckons in the not too distant future but I have some thoughts about the coming years.

"What is AFL?" video aimed at North America

  • Friday, September 04 2015 @ 12:09 pm ACST
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  • Views: 1,771
North America

To celebrate the first ever AFL match where an American born and raised player (Jason Holmes) competed against a Canadian born and raised player (Mike Pyke) last weekend the AFL have released "What is AFL?". The video is a 5 minute snapshot explaining the basics of Australian Football to viewers overseas who may not be familiar with the game.

This version (below) is aimed at helping to educate our North American friends in particular. The AFL are also creating versions for other regions and in different languages.  More details on these as they are published.

Canada v USA (or Pyke v Holmes) – An Analysis

  • Wednesday, September 02 2015 @ 10:48 pm ACST
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  • Views: 2,285
North America

Much has been made of the recent match-up between these two North American products after they lined up against each other in the ruck last weekend. When Sydney Swans took on St Kilda, much of the Australian Rules football world was salivating at the thought of an American and a Canadian player locking horns at the highest level of the game.

But, for all that anticipation, how did they actually go?

To look at pure figures is a long way from a fair comparison. With Sydney walloping St Kilda by a massive 97 points, through a great team effort, any comparison of two directly opposed players would always be a little skewed.

Aurrichio hoping to follow in footsteps of fellow American Holmes

  • Saturday, August 29 2015 @ 08:02 am ACST
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  • Views: 1,866
North America

 

The following story by Travis King at www.afl.com looks at the next potential cab off the rank of North American sportsmen who have left behind their native codes to try their luck at Australian Rules football on the highest stage – the AFL.

 

AMERICAN man mountain Alex Aurrichio says he's been inspired to keep chasing his AFL dream by Jason Holmes' action-packed debut for St Kilda.

 

Holmes' high-leaping ruckwork had a major impact in the Saints' draw with Geelong last Saturday night.

 

 

And it proved to rookie hopeful Aurrichio that there's rewards on offer if he persists and builds on an encouraging first season playing VFL for the Northern Blues.

Holmes AFL debut match report

  • Monday, August 24 2015 @ 11:24 am ACST
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  • Views: 2,422
North America
Jason Holmes made his transition from US college basketballer to AFL footballer on Saturday night official. In a match that ended in a draw against Geelong, St Kilda’s newest player not only looked at home in the ruck but looked something special.
 
Make no mistake holding down a position in the VFL as a ruckman is no easy task for those that have grown up with the game, let alone one starting out in a new foreign sport in a foreign land. If he never made it to play a match in the AFL it would still be a remarkable effort. 

Holmes to make historic AFL debut

  • Thursday, August 20 2015 @ 09:50 am ACST
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  • Views: 2,392
North America
Jason Holmes is set to become the first born and raised US citizen* recruited from the US to play in the AFL on Saturday after being selected by St Kilda to take on Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
 
Holmes has spent two seasons at St Kilda learning the game in the VFL with Sandringham. Holmes is a competent ruckman at VFL level and is good for the occasional goal up forward too. He played with the St Kilda team in the NAB Cup preseason competition which should help to ease his nerves a little going into this match on Saturday.

 

Northern lights shine bright and Revolution reign in Florida

  • Sunday, August 02 2015 @ 09:14 pm ACST
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  • Views: 1,853
North America

In a hard fought match in damp conditions under lights the US Revolution prevailed over the Canadian Northwind by 16 points.  After a close first quarter the US pulled away in the second as the big men up forward began to dominate. 

The Northwind tried valiantly in the third to bridge the gap but poor kicking and a solid US defence did not allow them to make up much ground.  The push from Canada continued into the final quarter but when they finally goaled to put them within ten points with five minutes to go the clock was always going to beat them.  Mike Murphy kicked a late goal just before the siren for the US to seal the result.

USA Revolution 6.9.45
Canada North Wind  3.11.29

Follow the International Footy from Florida

  • Thursday, July 30 2015 @ 11:00 am ACST
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  • Views: 1,779
North America

The USAFL, in conjunction with AFL Canada, will be streaming all four Parallel Cup matches live on YouTube.  Both days’ coverage will begin at 5:45pm ET, with Brian Barrish and Denis Ryan leading the commentary team for the weekend.  There will also be live updates on Twitter and Facebook.

Live Stream: Full schedule and YouTube links on USAFL.com

Twitter: @USAFL1997 and @AFL_TEAMCANADA

Facebook: USAFL and AFL CANADA

American Holmes re-signs for 2016

  • Thursday, July 30 2015 @ 09:24 am ACST
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  • Views: 1,920
North America

ST KILDA MEDIA RELEASE

THE rapid improvement of St Kilda’s international rookie Jason Holmes has resulted in a one-year contract extension for the 2016 season.

Until recently, the American-born Holmes had never heard of Australian football let alone played it but after completing his career as a college basketballer, tried his hand at an AFL combine.

The Saints selected him with pick 36 at the 2014 Rookie Draft and immediately set upon fast-tracking his development through the club’s VFL affiliate Sandringham.

Korcheck with bonus extras arrive in Melbourne

  • Monday, July 27 2015 @ 10:29 pm ACST
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  • Views: 1,640
North America

As expected American Matt Korchek, one of the standout talents at this year's Draft Combine in Florida has made the trip to Melbourne late last week. But he has not come alone. Jalen Carethers, James Johnson and Kye Kurkowski are here too.

The foursome have been at Carlton's home base Ikon Park and have been making the most of the club's facilities as well as working out with the Sherrin while getting tips from the likes of Brenton Sanderson. On Sunday the four prospects appeared on Channel 9's TAC Cup Future Stars program in Melbourne. All four will show off their physical attributes and their newly acquired skills when they train in front of AFL club recruiters this Wednesday.

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