One of the important but easily overlooked issues for the growth of international Aussie Rules is providing good coaching, and perhaps even more importantly, good umpiring. Whilst expat-Aussies often help kick start clubs and leagues, long term it is crucial to get locals involved in these important roles - and Australians often have a thing or two to learn about the laws of the game too.

Australian football in Canada recently received a boost with two weeks of official accreditation occurring across the country.

Bryan Dragus came to the Westen Magpies (in AFL Queensland's top league) this year after big wraps had been put on his game in the few limited chances he had to show his talent in the Golden Gate league last year. After two good performances he has been named in the Mapgies' side on the forward flank for their round three clash against Redland tomorrow.

It's early days for Dragus, but he looks like he could be a big weapon for the Revolution at IC11 should he be available. The AFLQ site featured Dragus in an article ahead of his debut this week, we have reproduced the article below.

USFootyNews.com is counting down the 2010 Preseason Top 10. At Number 9 is the San Diego Lions.

2009 was certainly not the best season in the Lions' history. They finished under 500 (to non-Americans that's a win-loss ratio under 50%) after a disappointing Nationals campaign. However, it is not always about the Ws. According to Lions Head Coach Simon Schenk, "As is the case in footy, the barometer for success is not always wins and losses. Last year was a very rewarding season at the Lions. For all our games about 80% of our players were Americans, and in one of our 4 quarter games we fielded an entirely American side. In most of our games 15-16 out the 18 on the field were Americans. This is a great testament to the club in their efforts to not rely on Australians, and to really foster the American influence. Our board is also comprised entirely of Americans. So great stuff."

Photo: The Lions in the Yellow and Maroon take on arch rivals the OC Bombers.

World Footy News this week spoke with Alex Benjamin the creator and host of the Nashville Kangaroos ARFC Webcast channel on Justin.TV website. Alex’s trailblazing coverage of the USAFL and the AFL from an American standpoint is approaching its second anniversary on the channel this weekend.

How did your channel and show start?

In my fifth season as being a goal umpire for not only the team, but for the USAFL (US Footy), I felt that the sport was not getting the recognition that it deserved and also being a die-hard supporter of the team, I thought of branching out from doing the goal umpire duties to another venue, thus the channel.

As for the show itself, that came out of invention after the 2009 Nationals in Mason, OH, when my good friend, US Nationals Umpire Secretary Lisa Albergo (spoke about it) and I thought “Wouldn't it be nice to do a show with AFL and USFooty?” So, we took the initiative and began USFooty/AFL Weekly.

David King (who shares the name with former North Melbourne player - but is not THAT David King) is the latest Aussie rules footballer to be signed to a punting contract for an American Football (NFL) club. Coming close on the heels of the signing by the Green Bay Packers of Chris Bryan, the New England Patriots have signed their own Aussie. Jy Bond is the other Aussie in contention for a spot and has signed with the New York Giants.

King is likely to have to go through a full preseason and compete against either a drafted punter or another punter brought in by the Patriots. The former Aussie rules player was one of a number of Aussie who attended punting camps in the US in 2009.

[youtube:8DxgWy_UfBo]

Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara played his first game of VFL. While Collingwood lost, McNamara had 11 touches and a nice snap at goal. McNamara blogs about his experiences at USFootyNews.com.

McNamara says that he is trying to stay positive as he learns the game and develops his skills. He is very focused on his goal of making the senior side and his hopeful of doing that this season.

USFootyNews.com is counting down the 2010 Preseason Top 10. We start with Number 10 Milwaukee Bombers, division 2 finalists from the 2009 US Nationals.

Thanks to Doren James for this report.

The Milwaukee Bombers are highly motivated to build upon their success at the 2009 National Championships where they came up 3 goals short against a talented Calgary side in the Division 2 Grand Final. The Bombers will once again be led by veteran rover and newly appointed President, Ross Siegel. Encouraged by the Bombers strong showing at Nationals, Siegel is optimistic about the coming season, "We finished 2009 in great fashion and really hope to use that momentum for a strong 2010 season."

USFooty has opened nominations for its under 23 development team, the U23 US Revolution.

The U23 Revos will play the U23 Canadian Northwind as part of the 49th Parallel Cup in Toronto Canada on the weekend of July 31. Revolution Head Coach, Matt Bishop, sees this as an important part of the preparation for the 2011 and 2014 International Cups. "The USAFL Board and American Revolution Coaching staff are constantly looking for ways to develop players that generally only have 3 years, or less, football experience. In addition players don't pick the game up until they have finished college which means they are learning the game at 22."

"There are ways to fastrack the development of players however there is nothing more important than playing experience and by the time American players gain a significant level of playing experience they are in their 30s. Any young players, aged 23 or less, interested in playing to the best of their ability and possibly representing their country at the International Cup in 2011 or beyond are encouraged to participate."

To nominate for the team CLICK HERE.

Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara, has played his first two games of Australian football (outside of internal trials for Collingwood). The tall international rookie lined up for Collingwood's VFL side in both their trials over the last two weekends.

worldfootynews.com's sister site, usfootynews.com, has been keeping a close eye on McNamara's progress and recently reported on both matches. Apparently the recruit with a basketball and soccer background has already made huge improvement, making the best players in only his second trial game. Below is a snapshot of the US Footy News reports.

After being signed to a two-year deal with Collingwood after last season, former Marist basketballer, Shae McNamara, has been adjusting to Melbourne's trams, it's footy culture, its favored pastime and its most storied club.

"Once I got here in Melboune in November, I had to not only soak up the footy culture and know what I'm doing on the field, but learn and know how these Aussies tick! They are very similar to us, but with the "tall poppy syndrome" you have to watch what you say and do, so you don't come off as a you-know-what."

"It's very different from the American culture where they hype you up and over feed your ego as opposed to here where you have to earn your stripes before you can have a swagger and even after all that they will still put you in your place if you think you're bigger or better then the rest, and rightly so. To be quite honest, no one likes a jerk."

McNamara feels very lucky that his transition to Melbourne and to footy has gone well so far. "My girlfriend came out here with me and so it's been a great transition. I've always been the type of guy that finds it easy to adapt to a new culture and make friends and more importantly not get too home sick. It's easier said than done, but I always knew it was chapters in my life and it wasn't going to be forever. So I enjoy it and take it all in, because I know I am living a dream!"