Last weekend, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, hosted the first annual Canadian National Championships for Women and Youth.

Forty-seven women from Calgary and Edmonton travelled from Alberta to contest the Nationals, which were played in a round-robin format against the Vancouver-based West Coast Wildcats. It is believed to be the first matches of 18-a-side women's club football played in North America.

With Australian Rules football starting to flourish on the west coast of Canada with its junior leagues, it's little surprise that women’s football is starting to take shape. This weekend sees the inaugural Canadian National Championships for Women and Youth taking place in Vancouver, at the University of British Columbia.

The round robin tournament is seen as a major step for women’s football in Canada as 68 women aged between 18 and 26 will be participating in the competition, representing three clubs across the provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta.

The Washington DC area's junior footy program, Saturday Morning Footy, enters its 4th year when it begins on June 20 at Bluemont Park in Arlington VA. The program is based on the AFL's Auskick program and is designed to introduce girls and boys aged 5 to 15 to the great game of Australian football. Members of the Baltimore Washington Eagles, the US Revolution and the US Freedom will be on hand to help out with the program.

The program has steadily grown and this year plans to add an introductory house league for the older and more experienced players.

As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At No. 1 is the Baltimore Washington Eagles. Baltimore finished the 2008 season ranked 1 with a 8-0 record in the regular season and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 2-2. The BW Eagles only losses came at Nationals to the No. 8 Boston Demons and eventual champs the Vancouver Cougars. USFootyNews.com caught up with Head Coach Aaron Tyndall at the Eagles Open Day in Arlington VA.

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As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At No. 2 is the Denver Bulldogs. Denver finished the 2008 season ranked 2 with a 3-3 record in the regular season and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 2-1. The Bulldogs regular season losses were all at the Florida FastStream Invitational Tournament early in the season and their only loss at Nationals was to the eventual champs, Vancouver, by 7 points.

According to Head Coach, Tom Ellis, "2008 was a big year for us. We had over forty-five men compete at Nationals and over twenty women. For us that makes the year a big success. Every year the Bulldogs have the goal of winning Nationals. 2008 was no different so it was dissappointing to not win but we still think the year was a big success. 2008 was our tenth Anniversary as a club and it was great to look back at six National Titles, over one hundred players on our list over the years and to also have six players that have now played over 100 games for the club. We now have a womens team and two players going to Australia this August to compete with the Freedom. The other teams around the league are getting better and better every year so that is something I really think is good to see."

As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com is previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At No. 3 is the New York Magpies. New York finished the 2008 season ranked 3 with a 6-3 record against tough opposition in the regular season and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 1-2. New York's regular season losses were to the Baltimore Washington Eagles (twice) and the Boston Demons at home. At Nationals they lost to Denver and eventual champs, the Vancouver Cougars. In 2009, the Magpies will be looking to compete with the Baltimore Washington Eagles for the EAFL Premiership and with Denver for the National Title.

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May the inaugural Australia.com Canadian National Championships of Australian Rules Football were played over the Victoria Day weekend at Humber college Toronto with great success. Eight teams from southern Ontario participated over the two days of competition and withstood strong wind, heavy rain and low temperatures to provide sponsors and spectators with a great event which is sure to be repeated next year.

As we move towards the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll. At No. 4 is the San Diego Lions. San Diego finished the 2008 season ranked 5 with a 3-2 record in the regular season and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 1-2. San Diego dropped down from their previous heights in 2008 and are looking to turn things around in 2009 by concentrating on developing footy in the San Diego area.

As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com is previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At No. 5 is the Golden Gate Roos. Golden Gate finished the 2008 season ranked 4 with a 1-1 record in the regular season and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 2-1. Golden Gate had an excellent Nationals Tourney, beating Boston and the San Diego Lions for the second time in the year. Their only loss was in the first game to eventual Grand Finalists, the Baltimore Washington Eagles.

We've previously reported on the upcoming Canadian Nationals and the problem that only Ontario-based clubs look set to attend - see Inaugural Canadian Nationals planned but something is missing. Nevertheless, a big tournament is expected next weekend and it could be the start of a long and successful tradition. The following is a press release from AFL Canada.

On May 16th and 17th, 2009, the first ever annual Australia.com Canadian National Championships of Australian Rules Football, sponsored by Tourism Australia, will be held in Toronto, Ontario.

The tournament will see 8 Australian Rules football teams from across Canada competing over the weekend at Humber North College from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th. It will be a weekend for all to enjoy – we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities and see our athletes in action. It will be an opportunity for both Canadians and Australians living in Ontario to have fun supporting the mix of Canadian and Australian players, have something to eat and even get involved with the junior football clinics available for kids of all ages.